An Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service force carried out a pre-dawn operation on Friday in Dora, south of Baghdad, targeting a farm believed to be under the control of an armed faction and triggering a firefight between the two sides, Iraqi security sources said.
The sources said the farm belonged to an Iraqi citizen, but preliminary information indicated that control of it had passed to one of the armed factions active in the area. The full circumstances of the operation were still unclear.
A source familiar with the matter said the operation may have been limited to retaking the farm from an armed group that had refused, according to the source, to hand over its weapons to government authorities.
Other unconfirmed information suggested the raid may have targeted a leader from one of the factions operating under the Popular Mobilization Forces.
The source described the operation as the “first of its kind” since the launch on Sunday of a campaign known as “Dawn Assault.” It noted the possibility of tensions between the Counter-Terrorism Service, which has led arrests in recent days, and an armed formation.
The source explained that the operation could test the balance of power between the two sides.
Iraqi authorities have not issued an official statement clarifying the nature or outcome of the operation.
In a related development, a security source said five people were arrested in a special operation in the same area near in Dora.
The source said the detainees were accused of seizing land. Other sources said arrests linked to an oil-smuggling case targeted wanted individuals connected to people detained last Sunday.
Local reports, citing security sources, said Thursday night into Friday saw arrests in Baghdad, Maysan, and Salahuddin of suspects accused of “corruption,” as well as clashes with people accused of oil smuggling from an armed faction linked to Iran.
“A number of the detainees are relatives of people being held for questioning over corruption suspicions arising from oil smuggling,” sources said.
Anti-corruption drive expands
Meanwhile, thousands of followers of influential cleric Moqtada al-Sadr ralied to “support the government’s efforts to pursue the corrupt.”
In a unified address read after Friday prayers in several Iraqi provinces, Sadr said: “We have been and remain advocates of reform, and we do not gather with the corrupt.”
“You have been and remain with me in hardship and ease. Let us continue our path in support of reform and the new reform campaign whose light has begun to shine through our Iraq,” he urged.
Addressing his supporters, he said: “Rise for a peaceful stand that supports reform and the soldier of reform, our brother Ali al-Zaidi, the Iraqi prime minister, to strengthen his resolve and weaken the resolve of the corrupt, who are trying to pressure him and deter him from the brave and fruitful raids that have terrified and disturbed many inside and outside the country.”
Separately, a statement from al-Zaidi's office said he chaired a security and economic meeting attended by security and oversight chiefs.
He ordered anti-corruption measures expanded to all state institutions without exception and called for stronger coordination between law enforcement agencies and oversight bodies to track suspects and recover public funds.
The prime minister reiterated that the government would continue implementing its reform program, pursuing those involved in corruption cases and referring them to the judiciary, while adopting preventive measures to strengthen oversight bodies.
