The story: Prime Minister Muhammad Shia’ Al-Sudani is scrambling to contain the fallout from a controversial anti-corruption campaign in Iraq’s southern governorate Muthanna. The initiative is led by Hamid Al-Yasiri, a Shiite cleric and commander of the 44th Brigade of the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU).

Yasiri’s unit is known for being affiliated with the Najaf clerical establishment, although it formally operates under the umbrella of an organization that is close to Iran. While the campaign has garnered significant popular support, it has angered Tehran-backed Shiite actors who have long had tensions with...