Iraq's Prime Minister Dismisses Nine Security Officials Over Alleged Oil Smuggling

Iraq's Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has dismissed nine senior security officials over an alleged oil smuggling operation in Jurf al-Nasr, a town in Babil province, Al Jazeera reported.

Jurf al-Nasr is described as a stronghold of Kataib Hezbollah, a group backed by Iran. The area has drawn attention for the activity inside it, and the dismissals are the latest step in a case that has moved quickly through the government.

The officials removed include security and intelligence officers in Babil province, a commander from the Interior Ministry, and the director of the Oil Pipelines Company, which operates under the Ministry of Oil. The police chief of Babil province was also among those dismissed.

According to the report, an investigation into smuggling in Jurf al-Nasr uncovered illegal oil refineries and evidence of manipulation linked to the smuggling activities. Military spokesperson Sabah al-Numan said al-Zaidi chaired an emergency security meeting to review the findings of a committee that had investigated the smuggling.

Al-Zaidi has also ordered that everyone accused of involvement in oil smuggling operations be referred to the judiciary, meaning the courts will take up the cases.