On Aug. 9, the Iraqi parliament voted to strip its speaker and two lawmakers of immunity from prosecution over the corruption allegations revealed by Obeidi, but hours later, the Iraqi judiciary cleared Jubouri of such charges.
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“Those who brought Iraq to where it is now have triumphed”, Obeidi said in a Facebook post following parliament’s vote. The coalition spokesman in Baghdad did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Obeidi’s departure. “I tried with everything to fight corruption but it appears that its masters are stronger, their voices louder and their actions more enduring”.
Haider al-Abadi said the victory marks was an “important step” on the road to Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest which has been in Islamic State hands for over two years now.
Last month al-Abadi accepted the resignation of the minister of interior amid growing public anger over security lapses in and around Baghdad that allowed IS to carry out large-scale insurgent attacks killing hundreds of civilians.
Iraq’s parliament impeached Defence Minister Khaled al-Obeidi on Thursday over corruption allegations, removing him from office as the army gears up for an assault on Islamic State’s de facto capital, Mosul. The army and Shi’ite militias have retaken many areas back from Islamic State, but the biggest test will be the battle for Mosul.
The police say separate roadside bombings on busy commercial streets in northern and southern Baghdad killed five and wounded 17 on Thursday.
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Police and hospital officials confirmed the casualty toll, speaking on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to talk to reporters.
