Who's Behind the Leaks? Unraveling Iraq's Power Struggle

A widespread controversy has erupted in Iraq following the leak of audio recordings involving Iraqi politicians and officials close to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. 

The recordings appear to reveal discussions about financial bribes amounting to millions of dollars in exchange for facilitating access to key positions within the country's highest institutions.

Among the most pressing questions raised by the leaks is how these recordings were obtained. Some of them resemble phone calls, while others are voice messages sent via WhatsApp. 

Equally contentious is the question of who is behind the leaks, and what their motive might be for releasing them at this particular moment.

Scandal of Leaked Recordings

The latest audio leaks that have caused an uproar in both public and political circles involve a recording attributed to Iraqi politician Khamis al-Khanjar, in which he complains to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani about certain actions taking place within the Sunni Endowment Investment Department, including the sale of properties under questionable circumstances. 

The recording, which surfaced on social media and Iraqi news outlets on November 11, 2024, reveals al-Khanjar accusing Abdel Samad, the son of the current Speaker of Parliament, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, of attempting to seize control of the Sunni Endowment’s investment operations.

Al-Khanjar warns that this would lead to large-scale thefts, resulting in a major scandal.

Three days earlier, another recording emerged, allegedly featuring Abdel Karim al-Faisal, head of the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Advisory Board. 

In the leaked audio, al-Faisal expresses dissatisfaction over receiving only one million dollars for a particular investment project, claiming that he was responsible for securing the necessary approvals. 

He goes on to say that the rest of the money—several million dollars—went to an unnamed minister.

In response to the leak, al-Faisal denied the authenticity of the recording, labeling it as "fabricated" and calling for the judiciary to intervene and resolve the matter.

Earlier, on October 28, another audio clip surfaced, this time attributed to Ali Waad al-Alawi, the Director-General of the Iraqi Tax Authority. 

In it, al-Alawi is heard discussing his manipulation of tax rates in favor of a specific company in exchange for financial kickbacks. 

The Iraqi government took action against al-Alawi, suspending him from his position for 60 days and placing him under arrest for investigation.

Meanwhile, at the end of October, authorities announced they had opened an inquiry into the details revealed in the leaked audio recording attributed to Ali Waad al-Alawi, the Director-General of the Iraqi Tax Authority, according to an official statement released on November 11.

Earlier, on September 11, an audio recording surfaced on social media, allegedly featuring Judge Haider Hanoun, head of the Integrity Commission. 

In the recording, Hanoun discusses a driver tasked with transporting over one and a half billion (currency unspecified) with caution, but one person later confessed to the operation. 

"I told you that eyes are wide open," he says in the recording.

Hours after the clip spread, the head of the public prosecution office requested an investigation by the Karkh Third Investigation Court, noting that the recording suggested bribery. 

A warrant was issued for Hanoun’s arrest after he refused to appear before the court.

On October 22, despite the arrest warrant, Prime Minister al-Sudani decided to remove Hanoun from his post as head of the Integrity Commission, appointing him instead as a special advisor to the Prime Minister.

The Weapon of the Defeated

On the official front, the Iraqi government stated on November 8, affirming that legal action would continue against any individuals or entities spreading or fabricating lies and falsehoods aimed at confusing and misleading the public, while attempting to cover up corruption.

According to Al-Estiklal, the Iraqi government maintained that the purpose of the leaks was to target the governmental team and undermine its clear achievements, particularly in areas that had long been difficult obstacles to service and economic performance over the years.

“Spreading lies is the weapon of the defeated, and the tactic of those who have no hope of earning a rightful and respected place in the hearts and minds of our people. Every time the government takes a clear step forward—such as the achievement that angered the corrupt and the envious, namely the handover of the docks at the Grand Faw Port—the fabricators rush to spread cheap lies. It is no longer difficult to trace their origins and identify those behind them, who are trying to recover what they have lost. As such, the law will take its rightful course against those who deliberately fabricate, lie, and slander.”

"There are those who collude with corruption, or insist on replacing their constitutional role with the antics of deceit and lies, solely to tarnish tangible government achievements. After receiving severe blows, these individuals deliberately seek to corrupt all institutions with their own deviations. No file of corruption remains untouched by the hand of justice," the Iraqi government states.

Meanwhile, Rabeea Nader, the media office director for the Prime Minister, posted on X, "The easiest and simplest thing today is to fabricate voices and spread lies, as others do. But we rise above such cheap tactics—this is the choice of the defeated."

"Our choice, which we will not deviate from, is to confront lies with accurate information and clear truths. We will continue to work with honesty and integrity, as our people deserve. We firmly stand by the rule of law. Our full trust is in the judiciary and its procedures to deter those behind fabrication and falsehood," he added.

The issue of the leaks follows two months after the arrest of a wiretapping and extortion network operating within the Prime Minister’s office, led by Mohammed Juhi, who served as the Deputy Director-General of the Administrative Department in the Prime Minister’s Office, the secretary of the government team, and the liaison with members of parliament.

Observers have seen the “Juhi Network" case as reflecting a hidden power struggle between leaders within the Shiite Coordination Framework, particularly Nouri al-Maliki, supported by Supreme Judicial Council head Faiq Zidan, and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

On September 5, the Coordination Framework stated a meeting it held, attended by al-Sudani, in which it confirmed that the Prime Minister had briefed the group on the alleged violations by some members of his office. 

The statement emphasized the importance of holding accountable anyone found negligent, while expressing support for the judiciary in its investigations and procedures.

Leaks and Power

Regarding the parties behind the recent leaks involving officials in al-Sudani's government, Iraqi affairs researcher Luay al-Azzawi argued that the continuous leaks are not happening in a vacuum, especially since they all target officials personally appointed by the Prime Minister to take responsibility, rather than being nominated by political forces. Therefore, they are all accountable to him.

Al-Azzawi told Al-Estiklal that "the leaks are part of the ongoing battle between the Coordination Framework factions and the current Prime Minister, which will inevitably end with one side surrendering to the other—either Nouri al-Maliki and his ally, Judge Faiq Zidan, or al-Sudani."

"Al-Maliki is trying to prevent al-Sudani from running in the upcoming elections scheduled for October 2025, as the former still harbors ambitions of securing a third term as Prime Minister. He sees no rival for that position except the current Prime Minister, who, in turn, is focused on securing a second term," said al-Azzawi.

In the same context, Ali al-Mashkour, a member of parliament from the Coordination Framework and close to al-Sudani, claimed that “the leaks are a carefully orchestrated campaign, and what’s happening is a direct attack on Prime Minister Mohammed. Those whose recordings have been leaked are indeed close to him, but it is also possible for a person to be compromised during their time in office.”

In a televised interview on November 11, Ali al-Mashkour, a member of parliament from the Coordination Framework and a close ally of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, dismissed claims that the Prime Minister himself was behind the leaks of sensitive recordings. 

He argued that it was illogical to suggest that al-Sudani was tapping the phones of his own officials and leaking information to consolidate power, as he already held significant authority to either retain or dismiss any official under his command.

Al-Mashkour further stated that the leaks targeted specific individuals within the state and that the current situation was an unfair political struggle.

He pointed out that the only beneficiaries were those attempting to manipulate the government for the benefit of a particular political faction. Even among the factions that make up the government, there could be disagreements.

In a similar vein, Iraqi political analyst and security expert Sarmad al-Bayati predicted that even more damaging leaks than those involving Nouri al-Maliki would emerge in the coming days. 

While he acknowledged the authenticity of Maliki's leaked recordings, al-Bayati stated that they had been effectively shut down.

According to Al-Estiklal, the controversy surrounding Maliki intensified in July 2022, when exiled Iraqi journalist Ali Fadhil released recordings in which Maliki criticized the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), calling them "a nation of cowards," and threatened to confront Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr in Najaf, accusing him of promoting a British-backed agenda. 

The leak caused a political uproar at the time but soon faded without any consequences for those involved.