Corruption in Iraq: Shocking figures and losses exceeding trillions
Corruption in Iraq: Shocking figures and losses exceeding trillions
6-22-2026
Information/Report…
The Iraqi people were shocked by the sheer volume of money uncovered following the arrest of several corrupt officials, including Deputy Oil Minister Adnan al-Jumaili, who was implicated in corruption and the squandering of public funds. This has prompted questions from the Iraqi public about the seriousness of the new Iraqi Prime Minister, Ali al-Zaidi’s, efforts in combating corruption. During his first term as Prime Minister, al-Zaidi focused on removing a number of corrupt officials, considered “small fish,” who had amassed astronomical sums of money.
Observers believe that al-Zaidi’s actions represent a true test in opening cases involving the “big fish” accused of massive corruption. They emphasize that removing these small-time corrupt officials is not a major achievement, but rather the first step in combating corruption. They point out that political forces must support the Prime Minister’s measures in this task, which has eluded all previous governments.
Iraq ranks 136th globally and eighth in the Arab world on the Corruption Perceptions Index, scoring only 28 out of 100 points in the transparency assessment. Although this score reflects a slight improvement compared to the country’s historical low of 13 points in 2008, financial indicators reveal a severe drain on the nation’s wealth. The funds lost and wasted in fictitious projects and smuggling operations since 2003 are estimated at approximately $1.45 trillion. These enormous figures are embodied in documented corruption cases, most notably the “Theft of the Century” case, in which 3.7 trillion Iraqi dinars (equivalent to $2.5 billion) were misappropriated from the General Authority for Taxes’ trust funds.
Regarding this issue, Member of Parliament’s Integrity Committee, Mohammed al-Shammari, affirmed that corruption has drained state institutions over the past years, praising the measures taken by Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi in this regard.
In a statement to the Al-Maalomah News Agency, al-Shammari explained that “billions of dollars have evaporated over the years into the pockets of corrupt individuals without any accountability,” noting that “successive governments have been unable to confront the corrupt figures due to the political cover protecting them.”
He added that “the Prime Minister’s move to form a committee to combat corruption and remove a number of corrupt officials represents a fundamental pillar for saving state resources and addressing this critical issue.”
Al-Shammari explained that “corruption has directly harmed the national economy through fictitious projects that have drained enormous sums and caused a deficit in the general budget,” stressing that “Al-Zidi’s current efforts will contribute to saving a significant part of the financial crisis the country is experiencing.” Regarding
political support and combating corruption
, former MP Mohammed Khalil affirmed that the changes made by Prime Minister Ali Al-Zidi in a number of sensitive and important government positions come within the framework of efforts to combat corruption and reform state institutions.
Khalil told Al-Maalouma that “the recent measures and changes taken by the Prime Minister in some government positions reflect a serious intention to address corruption cases and reduce its impact within state institutions.”
He added that “the Prime Minister is proceeding with implementing steps aimed at enhancing integrity and administrative efficiency by reviewing some important government positions.”
He noted that “the coordination framework is among the most prominent supporters of Al-Zidi’s efforts in the fight against corruption, and will support measures that contribute to protecting public funds and strengthening the work of state institutions.”
He pointed out that “combating corruption requires practical decisions and procedures, and that administrative changes represent part of the reforms needed to reduce corruption, which has affected the performance of many government institutions.”
The corruption file remains thorny and complex, and requires genuine seriousness and a complete will to fight it and save the country from its financial crises, as corruption has worked throughout the past years to weaken the country’s economy and increase the debt ratio.
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