Iraqi Health Ministry opens investigation into three senior officials in Diwaniya

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Ministry of Health has ordered an investigation and temporary suspension of three senior officials at the Diwaniya Health Directorate following the discovery of serious procedural irregularities in the public sale of state-owned vehicles. The decision was based on a 6 August 2026 review memo from the directorate's Administrative Affairs Unit under the Deputy Director General, which prompted the ministry to establish an investigation commission. The officials named in the order are Hisham Rahman Hatim, head of the Administrative, Financial and Legal Affairs Branch; Ammar Zuheir Gazi, head of the Legal Branch; and Fayiz Abbas Mohammed, chair of the Evaluation Commission. All three have been removed from their duties pending the outcome of the inquiry. According to the ministry, the irregularities were identified during the review of procedures used to sell government vehicles through public tender. The investigation commission has been tasked with examining the alleged violations and identifying those responsible. The ministry said the commission's work is ongoing and that no further details were immediately available.