Iraq PM Dismisses 9 Officials Over Oil Smuggling in Iran-Backed Militia Stronghold

BAGHDAD, Nov 14: Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has dismissed nine security and oil-sector officials following an investigation into oil smuggling operations in Jurf al-Sakhar, an area south of Baghdad known as a stronghold of the Iran-backed Kataeb Hezbollah militia.

The dismissals followed an investigation that reportedly confirmed intelligence findings pointing to illegal oil smuggling, the presence of refineries and other irregularities in the area, according to a statement by military spokesman Sabah al-Numan.

Following an emergency security meeting to review the investigation's findings, al-Zaidi ordered all individuals suspected of involvement in the smuggling operations to be referred to the judiciary.

The officials reportedly dismissed include the Babil provincial police chief, senior intelligence and security officers, the provincial commander of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), an Energy Police brigade commander and the head of Iraq's oil pipeline company.

The investigation focused on Jurf al-Sakhar, in Babil province, where intelligence reports had raised concerns about unauthorized oil extraction and smuggling activities.

The case has triggered growing political and security tensions between the Iraqi government and armed factions operating in the area, particularly Kataeb Hezbollah, which has considerable influence in the strategically sensitive district.

The developments also come amid Prime Minister al-Zaidi's efforts to strengthen state authority over armed groups and bring weapons under government control.

Earlier this week, the Iraqi government launched an investigation after reports alleged that oil pipelines in the area had been tapped and petroleum products transported using tanker trucks. A government investigation committee subsequently entered Jurf al-Sakhar under military escort to conduct field inquiries.