Iraq PM sacks nine officials over oil smuggling in pro-Iran stronghold
Summary
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi dismissed nine senior security and oil officials after an investigation into alleged oil smuggling in Jurf al-Nasr, Babil province. He ordered people accused of involvement to be referred to the judiciary; authorities said the investigation confirmed evidence of illegal refineries and crude-oil smuggling linked to the area.Key Facts
- The dismissed officials included Babil province’s police chief, security and intelligence officers, an Interior Ministry commander, and the Oil Pipelines Company director.
- The investigation focused on Jurf al-Nasr, an area where the Iran-backed Kataib Hezbollah group has influence.
- Iraq’s military spokesperson said an emergency security meeting reviewed the investigating committee’s findings.
- Iraqi intelligence documents reportedly showed an armed faction tapping into a pipeline and smuggling crude oil and petroleum products.
- A leaked intelligence report described two oil pipelines south of Baghdad as having been tapped into.
- An Atlantic Council fellow said oil smuggling by political factions and armed groups is common in Iraq and connected the crackdown to efforts to disarm militias.
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