Iraq's Azm Alliance has expressed confidence that it will retain its share of cabinet positions despite ongoing judicial proceedings involving its leader, Muthanna al-Samarrai, underscoring that the legal case will not affect the alliance's role within the country's governing coalition.

A source within the alliance told Kurdistan24 that Azm is continuing its political activities under an interim leadership arrangement while awaiting the outcome of court proceedings involving al-Samarrai.

According to the source, the alliance remains optimistic that al-Samarrai could be released once judicial procedures are completed, while emphasizing that the matter remains exclusively before the courts and that no conclusions should be drawn before a final legal decision is reached.

To ensure continuity, Mahmoud Qais, head of Azm's parliamentary bloc, has assumed responsibility for overseeing the alliance's daily affairs and coordinating meetings with political partners until the judicial process advances.

The source also revealed that Iraq's Coordination Framework—the coalition comprising many of the country's governing Shiite political parties—has assured the alliance that its ministerial share will remain unchanged throughout the proceedings.

Under the current arrangement, the Ministries of Planning and Culture will continue to be allocated to the Azm Alliance and will not be transferred to another political faction.

The assurances are viewed as an effort by coalition leaders to preserve the existing political balance within the government while allowing judicial institutions to carry out their work independently.

Despite the legal proceedings, the alliance has not initiated discussions on selecting a permanent replacement for al-Samarrai. Party officials have maintained that any decision regarding the alliance's long-term leadership should await the conclusion of the judicial process, reflecting an effort to project organizational stability and avoid politicizing the case.

Al-Samarrai, a prominent Sunni politician and businessman, was arrested on June 28 after Iraqi security forces launched operations under the nationwide anti-corruption campaign known as Operation Dawn (Sawlat al-Fajr).

Authorities detained him at his residence in Baghdad's Green Zone as part of an investigation into allegations of corruption and the misuse of public funds. The allegations remain under judicial review, and no final court ruling has been issued.

Following the arrest, the Azm Alliance reaffirmed its confidence in Iraq's judiciary while calling for the case to remain free from political interference. The alliance urged that legal proceedings be conducted fairly, transparently, and strictly in accordance with the law.

Operation Dawn has emerged as one of Iraq's largest anti-corruption campaigns in recent years. According to the Iraqi News Agency (INA) and the Federal Integrity Commission, authorities arrested 47 lawmakers and senior officials on June 28 while executing court-issued warrants linked to corruption investigations.

Officials said the campaign reflects coordinated efforts among Iraq's judicial, executive, and legislative institutions to combat corruption, pursue alleged financial crimes, and recover public assets.

Against this backdrop, the Azm Alliance has sought to reassure both coalition partners and the public that its participation in government remains unaffected, while acknowledging that the future of its leader will ultimately be determined through the judicial process rather than political negotiations.