Anti-corruption drive in Iraq targets state airline

Embezzled funds to the value of around $14 million have been recovered from state-owned Iraqi Airways, Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council reported on Wednesday.

The airline’s chief executive was arrested several days ago amid a crackdown on corruption launched by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, who took office in mid-May.

Dozens of people, including high-level civil servants and members of parliament, have been arrested in Baghdad. According to reports, cash to the value of around $85 million had been seized, along with cars and properties.

“Corruption is a genuine threat to the existence of the Iraqi state,” al-Zaidi told the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper. He told the London-based newspaper that a system based on “looting and theft” had been in place in Iraq for more than 20 years.

Al-Zaidi said a process was now running to end this and to open a new chapter.

Militias linked to Iran are also said to be have benefitted from the widespread corruption.

Al-Zaidi reportedly plans to travel to the United States this month. Washington is calling for stronger action against the militias, their funding and their arms smuggling.

Analyst Talha Abdulrazaq told The Media Line, a New York-based outlet covering news on the Middle East, that the main figures remained untouched.

“This operation is designed to give the impression that Iraq is finally cleaning itself up, but the reality is that those arrested are small fry and expendable fall guys,” he said.