IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

Al-Masoudi: Up to 60 trillion dinars are located inside the homes of corrupt individuals.

Al-Masoudi: Up to 60 trillion dinars are located inside the homes of corrupt individuals.

9-2-2026

Information/Anbar
Former member of parliament Riyad al-Masoudi revealed on Tuesday that more than 60 trillion dinars are secured inside the homes of corrupt individuals and outside the control of the banking system in Iraq.

Al-Masoudi told Al-Maalouma News Agency that “more than 60 trillion dinars are secured in the homes of corrupt individuals, and the movement of these funds is controlled by influential entities outside the authority of the banking system in Iraq and are not subject to the laws of the central government.” Read more…

A US surveillance balloon was hit over Al-Harir base; a source reveals the details.

A US surveillance balloon was hit over Al-Harir base; a source reveals the details.

9-2-2026

Information/Erbil…
A security source revealed on Wednesday that a vital target at a US forces’ position near Erbil was struck early this morning. The source indicated that the target was a US military surveillance and reconnaissance balloon.
Speaking to Al-Maalomah, the source explained that “a single-pilot drone struck the US Aerostats balloon above Erbil Airport at Harir Air Base. The balloon, a PSS-T model, is tethered to the ground by a cable connected to a ground station.” Read more…

Al-Sarraj: Political blocs are siding with Washington to protect their interests and positions.

Al-Sarraj: Political blocs are siding with Washington to protect their interests and positions.

9-2-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Political analyst Ibrahim al-Sarraj believes that 80 percent of political blocs are aligned with Washington to preserve their interests and positions, with the exception of national blocs that continue to support the resistance.
Al-Sarraj told Al-Maalouma, “The percentage of political blocs that support the American project in Iraq and the region reaches 80 percent, as the American administration has placed the issue of disarming the resistance in Iraq among its top priorities.” Read more…

An economist says the 2027 budget may become just ink on paper.

An economist says the 2027 budget may become just ink on paper.

9-2-2026

The economic expert Abdul Rahman al-Mashhadani asserted on Wednesday that the government will be unable to finalize and implement the 2027 budget given the ongoing regional tensions, the US aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the resulting maritime tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. He explained that the plans and programs developed by the Ministry of Finance will become mere “ink on paper” without sufficient financial resources.
Al-Mashhadani told the Information Agency that “the government has set an estimated price of $60 to $70 per barrel for next year, a figure that is difficult Read more…

Parliamentary Security Committee: We seriously doubt the withdrawal of the international coalition from Iraq.

Parliamentary Security Committee: We seriously doubt the withdrawal of the international coalition from Iraq.

9-2-2026

Information/Baghdad…
On Wednesday, Jawad al-Saadi, a member of the Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, called on the government to include the Parliament in the committees tasked with monitoring the withdrawal of international coalition forces from Iraq, expressing doubts about the seriousness of the withdrawal’s implementation.
Al-Saadi told the Information Agency, “The government is required to include Parliament in the committees concerned with the withdrawal of international coalition forces to ensure clear Read more…

The US consulate calls on its forces to leave Erbil immediately.

The US consulate calls on its forces to leave Erbil immediately.

9-2-2026

Information/Erbil…
A security source in Erbil province, northern Iraq, revealed on Wednesday that the US Consulate in Erbil has ordered its forces to prepare to leave the city after its positions were subjected to the most intense Iranian missile attacks since the beginning of the crisis.
The source told the Information Agency that “senior officials at the US Consulate in Erbil informed the government of Masoud Barzani that orders had been received from the Trump administration to evacuate its positions throughout Erbil province, Read more…

Iraqi oil exports recover 71% of their level; expert: “SOMO has adapted”

Iraqi oil exports recover 71% of their level; expert: “SOMO has adapted”

2026-09-02

Shafaq News – Follow-up
Two Iraqi energy officials said on Wednesday that Iraqi oil exports rose to about 2.34 million barrels per day in August, compared to about 1.35 million barrels per day in July 2026, which an economist considered “SOMO’s success in adapting.”

Preliminary data from oil shipment tracking firms Vortexa and Kpler showed that Iraq’s crude oil exports rose in August Read more…

A technical glitch halts electronic financial payments across all distribution outlets in Iraq.

A technical glitch halts electronic financial payments across all distribution outlets in Iraq.

2026-09-02 08:00

Shafaq News – Baghdad
A government source reported on Wednesday evening that all electronic financial payment outlets across the Iraqi governorates have stopped, leading to the disruption of salary payments to employees, retirees, and beneficiaries of social protection networks through distribution outlets.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that “a sudden technical malfunction affected the electronic payment system, causing all outlets to stop carrying out withdrawal and disbursement Read more…

Stephen Fagin returns to Baghdad as US chargé d’affaires

Stephen Fagin returns to Baghdad as US chargé d’affaires

2026-09-02

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The US Embassy in Baghdad announced on Wednesday that Steven Fagin is returning to Iraq to assume the position of Chargé d’Affaires at the US Mission to Iraq, succeeding Joshua Harris, who has completed his duties in Baghdad.

The embassy said in a statement, which was received by Shafaq News Agency, that Fagin had previously served as the US ambassador to Yemen, and before that as chargé d’affaires and deputy chief of mission in Baghdad, in addition to the position of consul general in Erbil. Read more…

America warns its citizens in Iraq of an “unexpected escalation” in the region

America warns its citizens in Iraq of an “unexpected escalation” in the region

2026-09-02

Shafaq News – Baghdad / Erbil
The US Embassy in Baghdad and its Consulate General in Erbil issued a security warning to American citizens on Wednesday morning, coinciding with escalating security tensions in the Middle East following the exchange of military strikes between Washington and Tehran.

The embassy said in a statement that “due to tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unexpected escalation.” Read more…

Iraqi oil maintains its levels above $80 despite a slight decline

Iraqi oil maintains its levels above $80 despite a slight decline

2026-09-02

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Prices for Basra Heavy and Medium crude oils fell slightly on Wednesday, despite the surge in global and regional oil prices.

According to global oil data, the price of Basra Heavy crude fell by 9 cents to $80.34 a barrel, a decrease of 0.11%, while Basra Medium crude fell by the same amount to $83.64 a barrel, also a decrease of 0.11%. Read more…

Iraqi Finance Ministry: More than 44 trillion dinars spent on employee salaries and welfare in the first half of 2026

Iraqi Finance Ministry: More than 44 trillion dinars spent on employee salaries and welfare in the first half of 2026

2026-09-02

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The average monthly expenditure on employee salaries and social welfare programs in Iraq reached approximately 7.438 trillion dinars during the first six months of the current year 2026, according to cumulative expenditure data for the first half of the year.

Data from the Ministry of Finance, reviewed by Shafaq News Agency, showed that total spending on employee compensation amounted to about 30.769 trillion dinars during the first half Read more…

American expert: Washington’s withdrawal from Iraq does not mean a decline in its influence in the region.

American expert: Washington’s withdrawal from Iraq does not mean a decline in its influence in the region.

2026-09-02

Shafaq News – Washington/ Mustafa Hashim
Boston University political science assistant professor Marsin Alshamary confirmed on Wednesday that the United States is serious about ending its military mission in Iraq and moving towards a bilateral security partnership, noting at the same time that the withdrawal of troops does not represent a decline in the overall American military influence and presence in the Middle East. Read more…

Iraq, Turkey, and Syria are laying out the implementation plan for the Fishkhabur-Ovakoy border crossing and development road.

Iraq, Turkey, and Syria are laying out the implementation plan for the Fishkhabur-Ovakoy border crossing and development road.

2026-09-02

Shafaq News – Baghdad / Ankara
An official Iraqi delegation, headed by the Chairman of the Border Ports Authority, Lieutenant General Omar Al-Waeli, discussed in the Turkish capital, Ankara, the files of transport, border connectivity, trade and transit, foremost among them the executive procedures to activate the “Fishkhabur-Ovakoy” crossing and link it to the vital development road project.

A statement issued by Al-Waili’s media office stated that the talks, in which the directors of land transport and Read more…

Al-Hakim: The state is no longer able to make appointments… and more than 8 million people receive salaries in Iraq.

Al-Hakim: The state is no longer able to make appointments… and more than 8 million people receive salaries in Iraq.

2026-09-02

Shafaq News – Diwaniyah
The head of the National State Forces Alliance, Ammar al-Hakim, confirmed on Wednesday that the general budget has reached “the point of saturation” and the state’s absorptive capacity is no longer able to make appointments, noting that there are more than 8 million people receiving salaries, financial grants and social welfare.

Al-Hakim said during a press conference he held at the conclusion of his visit Read more…

Conditions for weapons: Factions open negotiations with the tripartite framework committee (exclusive)

Conditions for weapons: Factions open negotiations with the tripartite framework committee (exclusive)

2026-09-02

Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed source revealed on Wednesday the latest developments in the dialogue being conducted by the tripartite committee formed within the coordination framework with the armed factions, with the aim of reaching understandings regarding the organization and management of the weapons file and limiting it to the state.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that “the factions showed some flexibility in their position on the disarmament Read more…

The Parliamentary Finance Committee: The draft borrowing law has been sent to the Cabinet for legal review and scrutiny.

The Parliamentary Finance Committee: The draft borrowing law has been sent to the Cabinet for legal review and scrutiny.

9-2-2026

The Parliamentary Finance Committee confirmed on Wednesday that the draft borrowing law has been sent to the Council of Ministers for study and legal review before its first reading in Parliament. The committee indicated that the law pertains only to external borrowing to support important strategic projects. Nasser Turki, a member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, stated in a statement to the official news agency that “the draft borrowing law submitted Read more…

Article 140 and the security file: 12 demands from the Khanaqin delegation to the President of the Republic (Exclusive)

Article 140 and the security file: 12 demands from the Khanaqin delegation to the President of the Republic (Exclusive)

2026-09-01

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Informed sources reported on Tuesday that a delegation comprising political forces from Kurdish parties, political figures, and activists from Khanaqin presented a paper containing 12 demands regarding the security, administrative, and service conditions in Khanaqin and the areas covered by Article 140 of the Constitution during their meeting with the President of the Republic at the Peace Palace in Baghdad. Read more…

Maliki’s coalition withdraws its appeal to the Federal Court regarding the ministers of interior and education, leaving the decision to parliament.

Maliki’s coalition withdraws its appeal to the Federal Court regarding the ministers of interior and education, leaving the decision to parliament.

9-1-2026

Information / Baghdad..
On Tuesday, Jassim Mohammed Jaafar, a leader in the State of Law Coalition, revealed that his coalition had withdrawn its appeal to the Federal Court regarding doubts about the vote counting process for candidates for the Ministries of Interior and Defense.

Jaafar told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “it was agreed to refer the authority to re-nominate Qasim Atta and Amer Al-Khazai to the House of Representatives, to decide through a voting process on the option of re-nomination or not.” Read more…

Shahid: Political disagreements over the creation of deputy prime minister positions

Shahid: Political disagreements over the creation of deputy prime minister positions

9-1-2026

Information / Baghdad..
Member of Parliament, Ahmed Shaheed, confirmed on Tuesday that the issue of appointing deputies to the Prime Minister has not yet been resolved, suggesting that political forces will begin discussions on this issue after the vote to complete Al-Zidi’s cabinet.

Shahid told Al-Maalomah News Agency, “There is a political trend emerging towards appointing deputies for Prime Minister Ali Falih al-Zaidi, but the idea is still under discussion and has not yet taken an official stance.” Read more…