Dawn Strike operation sparked confusion across Baghdad on Monday after heavy security deployments and tanks entered the Green Zone. However, State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki later said he initially believed Iraq faced a military coup before discovering the forces supported Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s anti-corruption campaign.
Maliki shared the details during an interview with Alforat TV. He explained that unexpected reports of troop movements quickly spread across the capital. As a result, many citizens and tribal figures feared an extraordinary security development.
According to Maliki, he received numerous phone calls while eating breakfast. Tribal sheikhs and young supporters contacted him after hearing rumors about tanks entering the Green Zone. They believed a coup might be underway and offered to enter the area with their weapons.
Maliki said he had no prior knowledge of the security deployment. Instead, he checked his phone and reviewed reports describing arrests, armored vehicles, and military activity inside the heavily fortified district.
After learning more about the operation, Maliki concluded that security forces had launched a nationwide anti-corruption campaign rather than a military takeover. He said the deployment demonstrated the government’s determination to carry out the mission.
Moreover, Maliki explained that the tanks did not signal preparations for combat. Instead, he described their presence as a clear message of seriousness and operational readiness.
He also expressed support for Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s decision to launch the campaign. Furthermore, he argued that public trust in political leaders had reached extremely low levels. Therefore, he believed the government needed decisive action to restore confidence.
Maliki stated that the campaign should continue without interruption. However, he stressed that authorities must respect legal procedures throughout every stage of the investigation. He warned against actions that ignore regulations, legal commitments, or established institutional standards.
In addition, Maliki argued that corruption had expanded far beyond isolated incidents. He claimed that corruption reached unprecedented levels during the previous administration. Consequently, he said Iraq now requires comprehensive reforms alongside criminal investigations.
His remarks came one week after Iraqi security forces launched the Dawn Strike operation. Authorities sealed Baghdad’s Green Zone before sunrise and carried out coordinated raids against current and former government officials.
Officials planned the operation under strict secrecy. Security and political sources previously reported that participating forces surrendered their mobile phones before deployment. Commanders also received operational targets only shortly before the mission began.
The government designed the security measures to prevent information leaks. Consequently, authorities maintained operational surprise throughout the coordinated raids.
Meanwhile, investigators continued expanding the corruption probe. The investigation began after authorities detained former Deputy Oil Minister Adnan al-Jumaili over alleged financial irregularities within Iraq’s oil sector.
Since then, investigators have widened the case considerably. Authorities have questioned or arrested several lawmakers, senior officials, and government employees as the investigation continues.
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi previously described the campaign as only the first stage of a broader anti-corruption strategy. Officials continue tracing financial records, recovering public assets, and identifying additional suspects connected to the investigation.
Furthermore, recent operations have resulted in millions of dollars in seized assets and numerous arrests across several Iraqi provinces. Authorities say investigators continue gathering evidence while pursuing additional members of the alleged corruption network.
Political observers believe the campaign could become one of Iraq’s largest anti-corruption efforts in recent years. Nevertheless, many also stress the importance of protecting judicial independence and ensuring every investigation follows the law.
As the Dawn Strike operation moves forward, Iraqi authorities insist additional phases will target corruption networks across multiple government institutions. Officials also maintain that accountability and transparency remain central goals of the expanding campaign.
