Iraqi PM Vows Decisive Action Against Corruption at Border Crossings

Iraqi PM’s media office

Iraqi PM Al-Zaidi.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi has affirmed that combating corruption at border crossings will be a top priority, stressing that the crossings represent the face of the state and its economic, security and sovereign gateway.

According to a statement issued by his media office, Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali Faleh al-Zaidi visited the headquarters of the Border Ports Authority on Friday, 14 August 2026.

The statement said that the Prime Minister, via video conference, greeted the directors and staff of the border crossings, commending their efforts and their important role in protecting the country’s sovereignty and economy and ensuring citizens’ safety. He stressed that “border crossings represent the face of the state and its economic, security and sovereign gateway”.

Al-Zaidi emphasised the need to expedite completion of the border-crossing automation project and put an end to attempts at fraud, corruption and manipulation. He directed that all crossings be connected to a robust electronic system, with a comprehensive daily report on operations and revenues, while drawing on leading international experience in border-crossing management.

He also directed that border crossings become self-financing, with customs duties and taxes deducted upfront before any transfers are made, in addition to service fees allocated to the rehabilitation and development of the crossings.

Al-Zaidi stressed that combating corruption at border crossings would be a top priority, adding that the coming phase would witness “unprecedented and decisive measures” in this regard.

He further stressed that drug and medicine smuggling, circumventing the relevant authorities and other forms of smuggling constitute serious crimes that threaten society and endanger the lives of Iraqi citizens, adding that there would be no leniency towards those responsible.

For his part, Border Ports Authority Chairman Omar Adnan al-Waeli reviewed the Development Road project and its importance following the signing of an agreement with the Turkish side to begin its implementation.

He outlined the route of the road and railway, as well as the possibility of connecting the project through Syria and Saudi Arabia, and the stations linking it to Iraq’s governorates.

Al-Waeli also said that customs revenues had increased during the current year following the adoption of a robust electronic mechanism to monitor the movement of trucks and the rehabilitation of several border crossings to improve their services. According to the statement, these measures have strengthened the crossings’ ability to protect the national economy.


PUKMEDIA