IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

The cabinet is suspended and the government program is pending… Bloc disputes are hindering a government without ministers.

The cabinet is suspended and the government program is pending… Bloc disputes are hindering a government without ministers.

8-13-2026

The crisis surrounding the completion of the cabinet and the appointment of ministers to fill vacant portfolios remains unresolved, amidst ongoing political disagreements between blocs and forces regarding the distribution of ministerial positions. This raises questions about the government’s ability to implement its program and fulfill its service and economic obligations.
This comes as the government’s three-year program has reached the Council of Representatives. MP Mohammed Karim al-Baldawi, spokesperson for the Sadiqun parliamentary bloc, confirmed that the program has been submitted to the Speaker’s office, which has Read more…

Kurdistan Electricity reveals “Ronaki” figures: 90% continuous power supply with lower bills

Kurdistan Electricity reveals “Ronaki” figures: 90% continuous power supply with lower bills

2026-08-13

Shafaq News – Sulaymaniyah
On Thursday, the Ministry of Electricity in the Kurdistan Regional Government revealed new details regarding the bills for the “Ronaki” sustainable electricity project, announcing that 24-hour supply has reached more than 90% of citizens. It also stated that about 80% of subscribers, especially those with limited income, are now paying less compared to the previous cost of combining national electricity with private generator subscriptions. Read more…

Al-Zaydi’s financial advisor reveals the features of the 2027 budget: a tool for regulating Iraq’s economy.

Al-Zaydi’s financial advisor reveals the features of the 2027 budget: a tool for regulating Iraq’s economy.

2026-08-13

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The financial and economic advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, revealed on Thursday the outlines of the 2027 budget, stressing that it will be a tool for reorganizing the country’s financial and economic structure, and not just a management of revenues and expenditures.

Saleh told Shafaq News Agency that “the 2027 budget is expected to have more advanced features at the level of public finance management, through expanding the application of programs Read more…

Al-Zaydi inspects “Iraq’s Sky Shield”: “No aggression from our airspace, nor any breach of it.”

Al-Zaydi inspects “Iraq’s Sky Shield”: “No aggression from our airspace, nor any breach of it.”

2026-08-13

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali Faleh al-Zaidi visited the Air Defense Command Operations Center late Wednesday night to monitor the readiness of Iraqi airspace protection systems, coinciding with preparations for the end of the international coalition forces’ mission and the planned withdrawal on September 30.

The Prime Minister’s Media Office stated in a statement that Al-Zaydi was briefed on the reality of the air defense Read more…

Baghdad caught between Washington and Hezbollah: British report reveals Iraqi mediation efforts

Baghdad caught between Washington and Hezbollah: British report reveals Iraqi mediation efforts

2026-08-13

Shafaq News – Translation
The developments related to Iraq’s position on Lebanese Hezbollah reflect the hedging policy pursued by Ali al-Zaidi’s government, which is “unable” to completely separate itself from the factions linked to Iran, while at the same time flirting with the United States and the Gulf states, according to the British website “ Amwaj ”.

The website, in a report translated by Shafaq News Agency, indicated that a delegation from the party had met with al-Zaidi before his recent visit to Washington, where the Iraqi Prime Minister offered to mediate Read more…

The “Reconstruction and Development” bloc: The government pledged to send the Popular Mobilization Forces law to parliament within a week.

The “Reconstruction and Development” bloc: The government pledged to send the Popular Mobilization Forces law to parliament within a week.

2026-08-13

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The “Reconstruction and Development” parliamentary bloc confirmed on Thursday that the government pledged to send the draft law on service and retirement for the Popular Mobilization Forces to the House of Representatives within about a week, expressing its regret that the legislation has turned into a tool for “consumption and political pressure”.

The head of the bloc, Bahaa al-Araji, said in a press conference held at the parliament building and attended by Read more…

Iraq holds 174.6 tons of gold; its latest data dates back to 2025.

Iraq holds 174.6 tons of gold; its latest data dates back to 2025.

2026-08-13

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The World Gold Council’s table for August 2026 showed that Iraq’s gold reserves amounted to 174.6 tons, ranking it 28th globally, with gold constituting about 23.1% of its total reserves.

According to the Council’s statistics, which were reviewed by Shafaq News Agency, the latest data for Iraq dates back to November 2025, meaning that the recorded quantity of gold, amounting to 174.6 tons, has not been updated in the table since that date, Read more…

Al-Zaidi to CENTCOM commander: By October, Iraq will be free of any foreign military presence.

Al-Zaidi to CENTCOM commander: By October, Iraq will be free of any foreign military presence.

2026-08-12

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi confirmed on Wednesday evening to US Central Command chief Charles Brad Cooper that Iraq will be free of any foreign military presence on October 1st.

Al-Zaydi’s media office stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that during his meeting with the CENTCOM commander, he emphasized the commitment to the agreed-upon timelines, which stipulate that September 30th will be a fixed and final date for ending the international coalition’s military mission in Iraq and completing Read more…

Al-Zaydi: The international coalition’s mission in Iraq will end in late September – final deadline.

Al-Zaydi: The international coalition’s mission in Iraq will end in late September – final deadline.

2026-08-12

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, confirmed on Wednesday that the end of the mission of the international coalition forces in Iraq at the end of next month is a final and irreversible date.

A statement from Al-Zaydi’s office, received by Shafaq News Agency, indicated that he chaired a meeting of the National Security Council, during which the course of the regional situation and the developments taking place in the region were discussed, with emphasis on Read more…

A deputy predicts a vote on the government program in tomorrow’s session.

A deputy predicts a vote on the government program in tomorrow’s session.

8-12-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Member of Parliament, Mukhtar al-Moussawi, indicated on Wednesday that the vote on the government program is likely to be included on the agenda for Thursday’s session, confirming that the program arrived in Parliament on Tuesday evening.
Al-Moussawi told Al-Maalouma that “the government program was prepared through intensive coordination and consultation between the government and various political blocs over the past period.” Read more…

Agreement without a deal: Political movement to end the Al-Zidi cabinet crisis

Agreement without a deal: Political movement to end the Al-Zidi cabinet crisis

8-12-2026

Information/Report…
It appears that the dispute over the vacant ministerial portfolios in Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s cabinet is nearing resolution, following an agreement among political blocs to expedite the filling of the remaining ministerial positions. Each bloc is to be granted its rightful share in the government, in accordance with the understandings reached prior to the government’s formation. However, an agreement is still lacking on the timeline for Read more…

Al-Haidari reveals the latest developments in completing the government cabinet

Al-Haidari reveals the latest developments in completing the government cabinet

8-12-2026

The head of the Al-Asas parliamentary bloc, Alaa al-Haidari, revealed on Wednesday the date for completing the formation of the government, stating that the Parliament is awaiting an official letter from the government to convene a session dedicated to finalizing the cabinet.
Al-Haidari told Al-Maalomah News Agency, “The Parliament is waiting for the government to send a letter to the Parliament to set a date for a session to complete the cabinet.” Read more…

Exclusive: Trump administration sends message to Baghdad regarding militia weapons following Qaani’s visit

Exclusive: Trump administration sends message to Baghdad regarding militia weapons following Qaani’s visit

2026-08-12

Shafaq News – Washington – Mustafa Hashim
A White House official confirmed on Tuesday that Washington supports the Iraqi government’s efforts to restrict weapons to the state, stressing the need to transfer the possession of weapons exclusively to the central government. This came hours after a visit by Iranian Quds Force commander Ismail Qaani to Baghdad, during which he called on armed factions not to hand over their weapons at the present stage. Read more…

Al-Zaydi: Uncontrolled weapons are the most dangerous threat to the Iraqi state.

Al-Zaydi: Uncontrolled weapons are the most dangerous threat to the Iraqi state.

2026-08-12

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Tuesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi directed the preparation of a draft law to restrict weapons to the state, in accordance with constitutional procedures, explaining that the most dangerous threat to the state is uncontrolled weapons, as they undermine the rule of law and weaken the prestige of security institutions.

This came during his meeting with the Chairman of the Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, Khalid Mutab Al-Obaidi, and the members of the committee. Read more…

139 priorities and 13 pieces of legislation: Al-Zaydi’s government approves its program and pushes towards unifying security decisions.

139 priorities and 13 pieces of legislation: Al-Zaydi’s government approves its program and pushes towards unifying security decisions.

2026-08-12

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Tuesday evening, the Iraqi Council of Ministers approved the government program for the years 2026-2029, which includes 139 priorities distributed across 14 main sectors, in addition to 13 pieces of legislation that the government has placed among its priorities for the next phase.

This came during the fourteenth regular session of the Council of Ministers, Read more…

Basra: Preparations underway to begin implementing the GMP gas pipeline project in the Artawi field.

Basra: Preparations underway to begin implementing the GMP gas pipeline project in the Artawi field.

2026-08-12

Shafaq News – Basra
The Oil Projects Company announced on Wednesday that it has completed its technical and operational preparations to begin the Gas Transportation Pipeline (GMP) project in the Artawi oil field in Basra Governorate, indicating that implementation work will commence during the current month of August.

The director of the Southern Projects Authority at the company, Abdul Hakim Qadouri, said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that a joint meeting was held with the French company Total Energy and the Chinese company CPP, in the presence of representatives of Basra Gas Company, Read more…

Erbil: A third US convoy moves from Harir base towards Syria

Erbil: A third US convoy moves from Harir base towards Syria

8-11-2026

Information/Erbil…
Informed sources revealed on Tuesday that a convoy, the third of its kind, departed from Harir Air Base near Erbil, carrying equipment for US forces and heading towards Syria, under tight security.
The sources explained to Al-Maalomah that “the convoy departed in the early morning hours, comprising dozens of trucks carrying metal containers, believed to contain equipment, devices, and possibly military supplies, from inside Harir Air Base near Erbil, heading towards the Iraqi-Syrian border, under heavy security provided by US forces.”
They added that “this convoy is part of the dismantling of military equipment and devices inside Read more…

An economist says selling state assets is a waste of public funds, and investment is the best option.

An economist says selling state assets is a waste of public funds, and investment is the best option.

8-11-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Economic expert Hashim al-Haboubi warned against selling state assets, particularly those of the Ministry of Industry, under any pretext, describing such a move as a blatant waste of public funds and a squandering of the country’s economic resources.
In a statement to the Information Agency, al-Haboubi said, “The Ministry of Industry owns a large number of factories and plants with diverse and important production capabilities, which could generate enormous economic returns if they were to resume operations.” He pointed out that “their personnel are already present and receiving regular salaries from the state without any real productivity.” Read more…

Parliamentary Finance Committee: Iraq’s reserves secure salaries for 10 months and the financial situation is stable.

Parliamentary Finance Committee: Iraq’s reserves secure salaries for 10 months and the financial situation is stable.

8-11-2026

The Parliamentary Finance Committee announced on Tuesday that Iraq’s reserves of 109 trillion dinars are sufficient to cover salaries for 10 months, and indicated that employee salaries are fully secured. Committee member Mansour al-Baiji told the official news agency, as reported by Al-Maalomah News Agency, that “the committee met yesterday with Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi, Finance Minister Falih al-Sari, and Central Bank Governor Nizar Nasser Hussein,” adding that “the financial situation is good and reassuring.” Read more…

The leaders of the framework agree to complete the government cabinet… Will it be passed without regard to Al-Halbousi’s whims?

The leaders of the framework agree to complete the government cabinet… Will it be passed without regard to Al-Halbousi’s whims?

8-11-2026

Information / Special..
Khalid Walid, a member of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, confirmed on Tuesday that the leaders of the Coordination Framework agreed to proceed with completing the ministerial cabinet and ending the work of the ministries by proxy, during the meeting held by the Framework yesterday.

Walid told Al-Maalomah that “the CVs of the political forces’ candidates for the remaining nine ministries will be completed by next Saturday, and they will be voted on during a special parliamentary session at the end of next week,” Read more…