Baghdad – Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi dismissed nine officials on Saturday following an investigation by a government committee into oil smuggling operations in the Jurf al-Sakhr area, where Kataib Hezbollah is based.
Military spokesman Sabah al-Nu’man said in a statement that the committee submitted its report and the results of its investigations, which confirmed the accuracy of the information contained in the Federal Intelligence and Investigations Agency’s report regarding the oil smuggling operations, according to the Iraqi News Agency.
He added that, in light of the investigation’s findings, al-Zaidi directed that “all those accused of involvement in the oil smuggling operations be referred to the judiciary (…) and that nine officials be relieved of their duties,” including security and oil officials.
He indicated that, “In light of the investigation’s findings, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces directed that all those accused of involvement in oil smuggling operations be referred to the judiciary and that legal measures be taken against them. He also decided to relieve the following officials of their duties:
1. The Babil Police Chief.
2. The North Babil Police Chief.
3. The Director of Intelligence and Counterterrorism in Babil, Ministry of Interior.
4. The National Security Director in Babil.
5. The Director of Intelligence and Security for Babil Governorate, Ministry of Defense.
6. The Director of Intelligence in Babil.
7. The Commander of the Popular Mobilization Forces in Babil.
8. The Commander of the 6th Energy Police Brigade, Ministry of Interior.
9. The Director of the Oil Pipelines Company, Ministry of Oil.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, according to the statement, directed that “operations commanders, provincial police chiefs, and directors of security and intelligence agencies bear full responsibility for any oil smuggling incidents occurring within their areas of responsibility,” emphasizing the need to “strengthen oversight and security measures to prevent these practices and hold those responsible accountable, and that no part of Iraq will remain where such activities are perpetrated.” Smuggling, from Zakho to Basra.”
In his address during the meeting, the Prime Minister commended “the efforts of the investigative committee in uncovering those involved in stealing public funds, determining the circle of responsibility, identifying those negligent and involved in the crime of oil smuggling, and prosecuting them according to the law.”
He affirmed that “the government is committed to protecting public funds, resolutely confronting oil smuggling operations, and thwarting all attempts to tamper with the national wealth throughout Iraq,” emphasizing that “security and administrative responsibility necessitates preventing these crimes and holding accountable anyone proven to be negligent or involved in them.”
Earlier, Iraqi intelligence documents obtained by Sky News Arabia revealed oil smuggling operations in the Jurf al-Sakhr area of Babil Governorate. A private source confirmed to Sky News Arabia that these operations are linked to the Iraqi Hezbollah Brigades.
The documents included satellite images documenting the movement of oil tankers with a capacity of 36,000 liters each, along with sites suspected of being used for oil storage and facilities resembling small oil refineries.
He also identified The report mentions three possible routes for transporting oil from Jurf al-Sakhr towards the capital, Baghdad.