Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has reportedly launched a military coup against pro-Iran elements within the government, with special forces arresting dozens of senior officials and sealing Baghdad's Green Zone with tanks, according to a single unverified Arab report. Exchange of fire was reported between Iraqi counter-terror forces and a regiment guarding the government palace.
A single unverified Arab-language report claims Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has initiated a military coup within the government, targeting officials with ties to Iran. According to the report, Iraqi special forces arrested dozens of senior politicians and influential figures in a sweep backed by American support. Tanks entered Baghdad's Green Zone and blocked all entrances, and an exchange of fire broke out between Iraqi counter-terror units and the Fourth Regiment guarding the government palace. A list of nine named detainees was published. There is no official confirmation from Iraqi or U.S. sources. The report marks a dramatic escalation in the security crackdown that began earlier Sunday — The Zioneer reported at 06:02 that heavy armor had been dispatched to Green Zone gates in an anti-corruption sweep, and at 09:32 that pro-Iran politicians were being arrested. If verified, this would represent a decisive break with Iran-aligned factions by a prime minister who has previously stated his intent to transition U.S.-Iraq relations from a military to an economic footing.
- StrongIraqi PM orders tanks, artillery deployed to Baghdad Green Zone gates — update: heavy armor now in position
- DevelopingReport: Iraqi special forces arrest pro-Iran politicians in sweep
- StrongIraqi military fully secures Baghdad's Green Zone
- DevelopingIraqi PM Al-Zaidi says US-Iraq ties to shift from military to economic partnership
Source and signal
A single-sourced dispatch is never rated Confirmed or Strong. Its Signal strengthens only when a second, independent source corroborates it.
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