Corruption Crisis: Iraqi Citizens Voice Frustration Over Government Mismanagement and Lack of Accountability
“The major corruption is committed by government officials, and the Anti-Corruption Commission is powerless against them,” says a resident from Karbala province, Iraq.

Jan. 26, 2025
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – According to a Kurdistan24 report, corruption in Iraq has reached an alarming level, with government officials deeply implicated and the Iraqi Federal Commission of Integrity failing to take effective action against it.
Corruption in Iraq has escalated to levels that now significantly impact the daily lives of its citizens. Reports both local and international frequently rank Iraq among the most corrupt nations, a status evidenced not just by figures but by the stark realities of life there: high unemployment, deteriorating public and health services, and a lack of basic infrastructure.
Ali al-Khalidi, a resident of Karbala province expressed to Kurdistan 24 the pervasive nature of corruption, which he says has plagued various aspects of the state since 2003. He emphasized the urgent need for oversight bodies to hold the corrupt accountable. "This corruption has been rampant in various aspects of the state since 2003, and the oversight bodies must hold the corrupt accountable," he explained.

Meanwhile, Aqeel Mohammed, another citizen from the city, pointed out the impotence of the Iraqi Federal Commission of Integrity, noting, "The major corruption is committed by government officials and the Anti-Corruption Commission cannot do anything against them. We do not even know what its mission is, as long as it does not hold the corrupt accountable."

International reports have consistently highlighted the severe challenges posed by corruption in Iraq. The country grapples with the embezzlement of funds meant for reconstruction and development, leaving citizens to face daily struggles due to inadequate basic services, and a lack of quality in the health and education sectors.
Hussein al-Ibrahimi, an academic, and a political observer, from Karbala lamented to Kurdistan 24 the visible consequences of financial and administrative corruption, pointing to the failure of successive Iraqi governments to uphold true integrity processes. "All this lack of public services in the country is due to financial and administrative corruption," he said.

Iraqi citizens increasingly feel victimized by a relentless corruption machine that devours rights and complicates both the present and the future. Questions echo through the streets and homes of Iraq: Where did the country’s money go? When will those who squandered public funds and deprived citizens of essential services be held accountable?
The issue of corruption in Iraq has deep roots and broad implications, affecting every layer of society. While it significantly hampers development and the provision of essential services, the emotional and psychological toll on the Iraqi populace is profound. With trust in governmental institutions eroding, the call for tangible change grows louder. Iraqi citizens demand accountability and transparency, hoping for a future where integrity and justice can finally prevail over corruption.
Mutaz Aboud, Kurdistan24 correspondent in Karbala province, Iraq, contributed to the report