Al-Mandalawi: Iraq to Tighten Security and Oversight Measures to Combat Oil Smuggling

Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs Mohsen Al-Mandalawi announced on Monday that the Iraqi government plans to intensify security and regulatory measures across the country to track down oil smugglers and curb the depletion of national resources.

In a statement, Al-Mandalawi emphasized that protecting Iraq’s oil wealth is a national responsibility requiring coordinated efforts, strict enforcement of the law, and accountability for anyone found responsible for harming the national economy. He also highlighted the need to strengthen transparency and oversight to ensure that oil resources are managed in the interests of the Iraqi people.

He called on the relevant authorities to step up monitoring and inspection of oil transportation, storage, and marketing operations, while accurately identifying the routes involved to help limit smuggling activities and eliminate their sources.