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

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/iraq-sacks-nine-officials-over-oil-smuggling-in-pro-iran-groups-bastion/
- Published: 2026-11-15T06:32:16+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-15T07:20:25+00:00
- Original publisher: Middle East Eye (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/iraq-sacks-nine-officials-over-oil-smuggling-pro-iran-groups-bastion
- Topics: Government, Middle East, Politics, World

## Key points

- Iraq dismissed nine officials after an oil-smuggling investigation.
- Allegations centre on a pipeline in Jurf al-Sakher.
- Those accused have been referred to the judiciary.

## Summary

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.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.