Iraq sacks nine officials over oil smuggling in pro-Iran group’s bastion

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi dismissed nine officials after an investigation into alleged oil smuggling in Jurf al-Sakher, an area known as a stronghold of Iran-backed Kataeb Hezbollah. The investigation said the allegations were supported by intelligence material, and those accused have been referred to the judiciary.

The dismissed officials include security and intelligence officers in Babylon province, an interior ministry commander and the head of the Oil Pipelines Company. Authorities have not identified the suspects or explained the officials’ roles. The probe followed reports that an armed faction had tapped a pipeline to smuggle crude oil and oil products; investigators entered the area accompanied by Kataeb Hezbollah members.