Iraq PM sacks nine officials over oil smuggling in pro-Iran stronghold | Oil and Gas News
Iraqi Prime Minister Dismisses Nine Security Officials Over Oil Smuggling Investigation
BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has dismissed nine senior security officials following an investigation into an alleged oil smuggling operation in Jurf al-Nasr, a region controlled by the Iran-backed militia Kataib Hezbollah.
The decision was made during an emergency security meeting, which al-Zaidi chaired to discuss findings from a committee probing smuggling activities in Babil province, according to military spokesperson Sabah al-Numan, who spoke to the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
The investigation revealed the existence of illegal oil refineries and evidence suggesting manipulation linked to these smuggling operations. In light of these findings, al-Zaidi ordered that all individuals accused of involvement be referred to the judiciary, al-Numan stated.
Among those dismissed are security and intelligence officers in Babil, an Interior Ministry commander, and the director of the Oil Pipelines Company at the Ministry of Oil. The police chief of Babil is also among those removed from their posts.
Kataib Hezbollah, a prominent Iran-aligned paramilitary group, has issued recent threats against al-Zaidi’s government, accusing it of corruption. Senior Iraqi officials have reported that the prime minister has expressed willingness to confront groups that refuse to disarm.
Analysts suggest that previous Iraqi administrations have been hesitant to address the alleged oil smuggling network, which could be worth up to $30 million monthly. A report from Al Jazeera indicates that Jurf al-Nasr has operated as a “state within a state,” although this dynamic may be shifting as al-Zaidi seeks to eliminate illegal oil operations.
Two strategic oil pipelines in the region have reportedly been compromised, with oil being siphoned off and sold on the black market, resulting in significant financial losses. Intelligence documents released on Wednesday included satellite images that purportedly show smuggling activities by an armed faction in Jurf al-Nasr, though the group responsible has not been named.
The investigation committee confirmed the authenticity of the intelligence information. Akeel Abbas, a senior fellow at the Iraq Initiative within the Atlantic Council, noted that oil smuggling by various political factions and armed groups is commonplace in Iraq, driven primarily by economic rather than political motivations. He added that al-Zaidi’s crackdown appears to be linked to broader efforts to disarm militias resistant to government authority.
“This operation has been framed as an anti-corruption initiative,” Abbas stated. “The prime minister aims to cut off the financial lifeline to groups that have been particularly resistant to militia disarmament.”
