Iraqi oil is caught in the grip of smuggling… from Kurdistan to the black markets in Afghanistan
Iraqi oil is caught in the grip of smuggling… from Kurdistan to the black markets in Afghanistan
11-14-2026
Information / Report…
New, cross-border routes for smuggling Iraqi oil wealth have been uncovered, stretching from the Kurdistan Region deep into Afghan territory to be sold on the black market. This comes amid escalating political and public criticism in Baghdad regarding the government’s silence and inaction on this thorny issue, which is draining billions of dollars from the state treasury. Simultaneously, fabricated media campaigns are being waged to discredit the Popular Mobilization Forces and divert attention from the systematic plundering of the nation’s resources.
An Afghan source revealed on Saturday that large numbers of tankers loaded with smuggled oil have entered Afghan territory through several border crossings, most notably the Milk Zaranj crossing, confirming that these shipments originate from the Kurdistan Region.
A well-organized route for unloading shipments in Nimruz province.
A source told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “a large-scale oil smuggling operation has recently been recorded across the Afghan border, with numerous tankers loaded with smuggled fuel entering through various border crossings, most notably the Milak Zaranj border crossing.”
The source added that “the smuggling operations are carried out according to an organized route. After crossing the border, the tankers are transported and their cargo unloaded into designated storage facilities in Nimruz province, from where it is then distributed and sold on the black market, outside of official oversight and regulations.” The source confirmed that “available information and data indicate that the smuggled oil originates from the Kurdistan Region.”
Government inaction and fabricated reports to demonize the Popular Mobilization Forces.
In the same vein, political analyst Sabah al-Akeeli confirmed that the smuggling of crude oil from the Kurdistan Region is no longer a secret and is now being conducted openly. He indicated that the amount of money being smuggled is estimated at billions of dollars, while the government is clearly unable to take deterrent measures to stop the smuggling and hold those involved in the region accountable.
Al-Akeeli explained in a statement to Al-Maalomah News Agency that “the media frenzy recently surrounding a fabricated report, the source of which remains undisclosed, is part of a systematic plan aimed at distorting and demonizing the Popular Mobilization Forces and diverting attention from the real issues.”
He added that “the relevant authorities should prioritize the issue of crude oil smuggling, which the regional authorities have been practicing for many years in full view of everyone, without any serious government action to put an end to this ongoing depletion of national wealth.”
Questions arise regarding compliance with US directives.
Al-Akeeli emphasized that “the government’s disavowal and disregard for opening the file on oil smuggling from the region raises numerous questions and confirms a clear alignment with the directives of the US administration, which is attempting to cover up this matter.”
The political analyst called upon national forces, oversight bodies, and parliamentarians to “shoulder their national responsibilities and exert the necessary pressure on the government to compel it to urgently open this thorny issue, hold those responsible accountable, and recover the billions of dollars that have been drained from the Iraqi people’s resources.” A national imperative to halt the financial hemorrhage.
These field and political realities place the federal authorities under direct responsibility to end the chaos of cross-border smuggling. Observers emphasize that the continued flow of smuggled oil from the region to black markets abroad, coupled with media cover-ups and attempts to obfuscate the issue, necessitates decisive regulatory and judicial action to tighten control over border crossings and resources and recover stolen funds.
almaalomah.me
