IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

Collapse of Iraq’s longest bridge

Collapse of Iraq’s longest bridge

2026-05-23

Shafaq News – Diyala
A government source revealed on Saturday that a collapse had occurred in the approaches to the Hamrin Bridge, which is the longest in Iraq, due to the rising water levels of the lake.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that “a delegation from the provincial council and the Diyala Roads and Bridges Directorate conducted a field visit to assess the conditions of the Hamrin Bridge, which is considered the longest in Iraq, after Read more…

Al-Zaidi to Masrour Barzani: We are all partners in this nation, and our goal is to solve problems and reach an agreement.

Al-Zaidi to Masrour Barzani: We are all partners in this nation, and our goal is to solve problems and reach an agreement.

2026-05-23

Shafaq News – Baghdad / Erbil
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi expressed his desire on Saturday to resolve the outstanding disputes and issues between Erbil and Baghdad.

During his meeting with Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in Baghdad, Al-Zaidi said, “We are all partners in this country, and our goal is to solve problems, reach an agreement, and serve all Read more…

The government’s financial advisor: Iraq has not submitted a request for a loan from the International Monetary Fund.

The government’s financial advisor: Iraq has not submitted a request for a loan from the International Monetary Fund.

2026-05-23

The Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, confirmed on Saturday that Iraq has not yet submitted a formal request for a loan from the International Monetary Fund. He noted that Iraq maintains continuous contact with the Fund, and a government team holds annual meetings with its officials. Salih told the official news agency that “Iraq enjoys close relations with the International Monetary Fund and has concluded more than five agreements since 2003, three of which are Stand-By Arrangements, Read more…

Coordination framework: The remaining cabinet positions in Al-Zidi’s government will be finalized in a single session after Eid.

Coordination framework: The remaining cabinet positions in Al-Zidi’s government will be finalized in a single session after Eid.

2026-05-22

The political arena in Iraq is heading towards a crucial stage related to completing the ministerial cabinet of Ali al-Zaidi’s government, amidst rapid activity within the forces of the Coordination Framework aimed at resolving outstanding issues before the resumption of the Iraqi Parliament sessions after the Eid al-Adha holiday.

This development comes amid political pressure to end the delay in completing the government formation, ensuring Read more…

Dukan Dam nears flooding for the first time in years

Dukan Dam nears flooding for the first time in years

5-22-2026

Information/Sulaymaniyah…
The Dukan Dam in Sulaymaniyah Governorate has approached the flood stage for the first time in years, with the daily rise in water levels continuing as a result of the heavy rains that the region has witnessed during the current season.

The director of the Dokan Dam, Kocher Jamal, said in a statement received by Al-Maalomah Agency that “the water level inside the dam is currently rising at a rate of 8 centimeters per day,” Read more…

Iraq is an “attractive opportunity” for marketing Syrian products and expanding trade exchange.

Iraq is an “attractive opportunity” for marketing Syrian products and expanding trade exchange.

2026-05-22

Shafaq News – Damascus
The Iraqi market is considered one of the most important foreign markets neighboring Syria, due to its large economic size and strong geographical and social ties between the two countries.

With a shared desire to enhance economic and trade cooperation, Syria is preparing to capitalize on this opportunity to expand its exports, given the significant potential encompassing multiple sectors, from food products to Read more…

The Union of Agricultural Associations in Diyala sends a “three-point telegram” to the Al-Zaidi government.

The Union of Agricultural Associations in Diyala sends a “three-point telegram” to the Al-Zaidi government.

5-22-2026

The Union of Agricultural Associations in Diyala revealed on Friday that it had sent what it called a “three-point memo” to the government of Ali al-Zaidi, aimed at protecting local agricultural crops as the peak of the marketing season approaches. Raad Maghamis al-Tamimi, head of the union’s Diyala branch, told Al-Maalomah that “Diyala is an agricultural province, and this sector provides a livelihood for tens of thousands of families.” He noted that “with the arrival of the last third of May, many agricultural crops have begun to be marketed, and we will witness peak production Read more…

Al-Fahdawi: The Democratic Party joins the front demanding the dismissal of Al-Halbousi from the presidency of Parliament.

Al-Fahdawi: The Democratic Party joins the front demanding the dismissal of Al-Halbousi from the presidency of Parliament.

5-22-2026

Information/Anbar
On Thursday, Muhammad al-Fahdawi, a leader in the Azm Alliance, confirmed that the Kurdistan Democratic Party had joined the front demanding the dismissal of Speaker of Parliament Hebat al-Halbousi, along with MPs from the Coordination Framework Forces and Sunni alliances, due to his transfer of the session to grant confidence to al-Zidi’s government.

Al-Dulaimi told Al-Maalouma News Agency that “the Kurdistan Democratic Party has joined the front demanding the dismissal of Speaker of Parliament Hebat Al-Halbousi, due to his Read more…

A clash of wills: Parties wage their battles within the political arena to eliminate rivals and seize positions.

A clash of wills: Parties wage their battles within the political arena to eliminate rivals and seize positions.

5-22-2026

Information/Baghdad…
The intensity of the disputes and mutual statements between the various political parties is increasing, especially after the rift that occurred in the voting session on Ali al-Zidi’s cabinet, where some ministries were removed from the voting list and placed in the last sequences to ensure the passage of the portfolios that were intended to be passed and decided first, as some political parties are waging a war and movement to settle scores through Read more…

Al-Surji: The Union has no problem moving towards holding elections in Kurdistan.

Al-Surji: The Union has no problem moving towards holding elections in Kurdistan.

5-22-2026

Information/Baghdad…
A member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), Ghiath al-Surji, confirmed that the PUK has no problem participating in elections in the Kurdistan Region if other parties are inclined to do so. Al-Surji told Al-Maalomah news agency, “The Kurdistan Region has been unable to form its new government despite more than a year and a half having passed since the elections were held.” He added, “The situation between the PUK and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) has become more complicated than before, especially after Read more…

Jordan receives 5 ships loaded with goods and food supplies destined for Iraq

Jordan receives 5 ships loaded with goods and food supplies destined for Iraq

2026-05-22

Shafaq News – Amman
The Director General of the Aqaba Ports Management and Operation Company, Mahmoud Khleifat, announced the arrival of five ships at the docks of the port of Aqaba, loaded with various goods and foodstuffs for the benefit of Iraq.

The shipments include rice, corn, sugar, iron, and wood, which are goods in transit destined for Iraqi markets, coinciding with the continuation of geopolitical Read more…

Al-Qubbanji comments on reports of the formation of a “regional alliance” and warns against interference in Iraqi affairs.

Al-Qubbanji comments on reports of the formation of a “regional alliance” and warns against interference in Iraqi affairs.

2026-05-22

Shafaq News – Najaf
Imam and Friday preacher of Najaf, Sadr al-Din al-Qubanchi, warned against the formation of a regional alliance consisting of Arab countries to launch attacks targeting armed factions and their camps inside Iraq.

Al-Qubbanji said in his Friday sermon that international media outlets and channels have spoken about the formation of an Arab coalition of five Arab countries neighboring Iraq to launch airstrikes targeting the leaders Read more…

Government advisor: The Ministry of Finance is preparing a three-year emergency plan to boost revenues.

Government advisor: The Ministry of Finance is preparing a three-year emergency plan to boost revenues.

2026-05-22

The Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, revealed on Friday five options to address the shortfall in financial revenues and restructure the Iraqi economy, in light of the challenges arising from the decline in oil exports and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. He indicated that the Ministry of Finance is preparing a three-pronged emergency plan to boost revenues. Salih stated in a statement to the official news agency that “Iraq is Read more…

Syria: Tartus port receives first convoy bound for Iraq after 14 years of suspension

Syria: Tartus port receives first convoy bound for Iraq after 14 years of suspension

2026-05-21

Shafaq News – Damascus
Mazen Alloush, Director of Relations at the General Authority for Ports and Customs in Syria, confirmed on Thursday that the port of Tartous received a ship coming from Romania loaded with a shipment of timber, which is the first international transit convoy heading overland to Iraq through Syrian territory in 14 years.

Alloush explained in a statement to the Syrian News Agency (SANA) that the shipment arrived at the port Read more…

600 billion for oil and 400 billion for electricity… “The ministerial exchange” ignites divisions within the Reconstruction and Development bloc

600 billion for oil and 400 billion for electricity… “The ministerial exchange” ignites divisions within the Reconstruction and Development bloc

5-21-2026

Information / Special ..
The circle of controversy and disagreement is widening within the Reconstruction and Development bloc led by former Prime Minister Mohammed Al-Sudani, with the rise of serious talk about huge financial deals that accompanied the nomination of ministers within Ali Al-Zidi’s government, most notably the ministries of oil and electricity, which have been described for years as the “open treasury” for parties and influential forces. Political and Read more…

State of Law: A political agreement to pass the names not voted on in al-Zaydi’s cabinet

State of Law: A political agreement to pass the names not voted on in al-Zaydi’s cabinet

5-21-2026

Information / Special..
Imran Karkoush, a member of the State of Law Coalition, revealed today, Thursday, that there are new political understandings within the coordination framework to pass the same names within the ministerial cabinet, which did not obtain the approval of Parliament during the confidence vote session.

Karkoush told Al-Maalomah that “the parties within the framework agreed to Read more…

Iraq and six other OPEC+ members are moving to increase oil production during July.

Iraq and six other OPEC+ members are moving to increase oil production during July.

2026-05-21

Shafaq News – Special Translation
Sources within the OPEC+ alliance revealed that major producers are moving towards raising oil production targets for next July, despite the continued supply disruptions resulting from the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz.

Reuters quoted informed sources as saying that seven key countries in the alliance, including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Russia, are expected to agree Read more…

Calls for broad economic reform: A government advisor outlines the path to transformation in Iraq.

Calls for broad economic reform: A government advisor outlines the path to transformation in Iraq.

2026/05/21

The financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, stressed today, Thursday, the importance of activating the Market Development Council to support the modern economy in Iraq, while emphasizing the need to invest in five million dunams of agricultural land that were damaged by desertification.
Saleh said in a press statement followed by Al-Furat News that “the government program aims at institutional reform, and describing institutions Read more…

Former MP: Political targeting is hindering the approval of State of Law ministers

Former MP: Political targeting is hindering the approval of State of Law ministers

5-21-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Former MP Rasoul Radhi, from the State of Law Coalition, confirmed on Thursday that there is a clear targeting of the Maliki coalition to obstruct the passage of its candidates for the ministerial cabinet, noting that there is a breakthrough in the crisis soon after the Eid holiday. Radhi told Al-Maalomah, “There is a clear targeting of the State of Law Coalition by some political parties and blocs inside and outside the Shia political establishment, in agreement with the Speaker of Parliament.”
He added, “The plan devised against the aforementioned coalition aims to obstruct the approval Read more…

Secured for two months… Former member of the parliamentary finance committee rules out the government stopping salary payments

Secured for two months… Former member of the parliamentary finance committee rules out the government stopping salary payments

5-21-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Former member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, Abdul Hadi Mohan, confirmed on Thursday that the government has the ability and capacity to secure salaries for two months, while ruling out the possibility of the government stopping the payment of employee salaries despite the current challenges. Mohan told Al-Maalomah, “The federal budget has been significantly delayed and has not yet been enacted despite the need for it. This delay is linked to the time it took political parties to form the new government and the problems within Read more…