Iraq removes four senior officials at electricity, finance ministries

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Ministry of Electricity dismissed the head of the Karkh electricity sector in Baghdad and removed three officials from the ministry's Abu Ghraib branch, according to ministry statements. The ministry also reassigned 70 employees in Baghdad for "negligence in carrying out public duties." Separately, the Ministry of Finance terminated the contracts of two staff members, one working in the ministry's office and another at the External Development Fund. Documents indicated that new officials were appointed to replace the dismissed Karkh electricity sector head. The changes came as part of a broader series of administrative moves across Iraqi institutions. Adel al-Yasiri was named head of the Investment Commission, Sheikh Muzahim al-Kanaan was appointed presidential adviser for state political affairs, and Qasim al-Abody was named national security adviser. In a separate move, Central Bank Governor Ali al-Allaq was removed and replaced by Nizar Nasir, the bank's general director of the Anti-Money Laundering Unit. The dismissals and reassignments were issued through formal ministry decisions, with no further details immediately available on the underlying reasons beyond the stated negligence finding.