Iraqi security forces launched a large-scale anti-corruption operation early Sunday across Baghdad and several other provinces, targeting a major corruption network linked to a former senior official in the Oil Ministry. Local media reported that nearly 20 politicians, former government officials, security personnel, and businessmen were detained during the coordinated raids.

The operation involved Iraq's Counter Terrorism Service (CTS), the Iraqi Army, the Integrity Commission, and other security agencies. According to Iraqi media, the raids focused on locations inside Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, as well as other areas across the country, as part of an ongoing investigation involving Adnan al-Jumaili, the former assistant to Iraq's oil minister.

Security forces reportedly sealed off the Green Zone in the early hours of Sunday before carrying out coordinated raids on the residences of several current and former senior officials using armored vehicles and heavily armed units.

Preliminary reports indicated that those detained include current and former members of parliament, former ministers, government advisers, security officials, and prominent businessmen. However, neither Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council nor the federal government had officially confirmed the identities or the exact number of those arrested at the time of publication.

Several Iraqi media outlets claimed that the arrests followed confessions allegedly made by al-Jumaili, who was detained last month in connection with the corruption investigation. Reports also alleged that former Finance Minister Taif Sami was among those arrested, although no official source has confirmed the claim.

The investigation has become one of Iraq's largest corruption cases in recent years. Last week, judicial authorities announced the seizure of more than $85 million, much of it reportedly concealed inside homes and buried approximately four meters underground.

Authorities also reported confiscating more than 98 billion Iraqi dinars, $11 million in cash, 70 houses and plots of land, 21 luxury vehicles, and approximately three kilograms of gold allegedly linked to the corruption network.

The latest operation comes as Iraq's government continues to prioritize anti-corruption efforts as a key component of its reform agenda.

Iraq has long ranked among the countries most affected by corruption, with successive governments promising reforms while facing persistent criticism over weak accountability and limited progress. In recent years, authorities have pursued several high-profile corruption cases, including the infamous "Theft of the Century" scandal involving billions of dinars in stolen tax deposits.