IRAQI DINAR POLITICS & ECONOMY

Al-Zaydi tightens his grip on security… Strict conditions for Interior and Defense Ministry candidates

Al-Zaydi tightens his grip on security… Strict conditions for Interior and Defense Ministry candidates

2026-08-07

Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed government source revealed on Thursday that Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali al-Zaidi is still committed to managing the Ministries of Defense and Interior in an “acting” capacity, given his satisfaction with the performance of the current leadership, denying the existence of any political agreement or intention to decide on the names of the two ministers at the present time .

The source told Shafaq News Agency that “Al-Zaydi is satisfied with the performance of the officials who are Read more…

Behind the scenes of Baghdad’s turbulent dawn: Al-Amiri and Al-Zaidi’s meeting froze a government initiative and prompted a response from the factions to Saudi Arabia.

Behind the scenes of Baghdad’s turbulent dawn: Al-Amiri and Al-Zaidi’s meeting froze a government initiative and prompted a response from the factions to Saudi Arabia.

2026-08-07

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Multiple political and governmental sources revealed on Friday the behind-the-scenes details of the turbulent hours that Baghdad experienced on Thursday night and Friday morning, which ended with an understanding between Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zubaidi and Badr Organization leader Hadi al-Amiri, which stipulated a mutual truce between the government and the armed factions, and opened the way for Iraqi diplomatic action to address the crisis with Saudi Arabia. Read more…

Within 55 days… Will Iraq succeed in controlling weapons?

Within 55 days… Will Iraq succeed in controlling weapons?

2026-08-07

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Only 55 days remain until the deadline set by the “Coalition for State Administration,” which brings together the blocs and parties participating in the political process in Iraq from various components, to proceed with steps to restrict weapons to the state, while some armed factions still refuse to give up their military arsenal.

These factions assert that their weapons are linked to what they describe as “resistance” and regional threats, at a time when the government of Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi is trying to Read more…

Top orders for “intensive and thorough” inspection of all civilian and military vehicles throughout Iraq

Top orders for “intensive and thorough” inspection of all civilian and military vehicles throughout Iraq

2026-08-07

Shafaq News – Baghdad
A security source reported on Friday that high-level orders have been issued to inspect all civilian and military vehicles “intensively and thoroughly” without exception and throughout all regions of Iraq.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that “strict instructions were issued by the higher security authorities to all checkpoints and inspection points throughout Iraq to inspect vehicles intensively and thoroughly and to take legal action against any vehicle or driver Read more…

The Ministry of Information and Communications threatens legal action: Starlink has no official agent in Iraq.

The Ministry of Information and Communications threatens legal action: Starlink has no official agent in Iraq.

2026-08-07

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Media and Communications Commission vowed on Friday to take legal action against anyone who claims to be an official agent or authorized seller of “Starlink” in Iraq, warning that any claim to the contrary is considered “misleading advertising” to the consumer and warrants legal accountability.

The commission said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that the claim of exclusivity in representing the “Starlink” company is “misleading” to consumers wishing to obtain satellite Read more…

Iraq… From an oil economy to a land economy: A strategic vision for building an agricultural and livestock sector that leads sustainable development

Iraq… From an oil economy to a land economy: A strategic vision for building an agricultural and livestock sector that leads sustainable development

8-7-2026

Researcher Shatha Khalil
Why is agriculture the first step in economic development?
No nation that has achieved comprehensive economic development has ever started with industry or technology alone. Rather, it has always begun by building a strong agricultural sector capable of providing food, stimulating the rural economy, creating jobs, and supplying raw materials for various industries. Agriculture is not merely about producing crops; it represents the true foundation of production from which all other economic sectors spring. Therefore, countries that have succeeded in achieving sustainable development, such as Read more…

Iraq adopts Apple as a trusted platform to promote electronic payments

Iraq adopts Apple as a trusted platform to promote electronic payments

2026-08-06

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The head of the executive body of the Media and Communications Commission, Baligh Abu Kalal, announced on Thursday that Apple has been approved as a verified digital platform to operate in Iraq, after completing all the requirements and procedures stipulated in the framework regulations for digital platforms and services.

Abu Kalal said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that the accreditation includes classifying Apple as Read more…

The minister is in charge of two ministries… Disarray and confusion threaten Al-Zaidi’s incomplete government!

The minister is in charge of two ministries… Disarray and confusion threaten Al-Zaidi’s incomplete government!

8-6-2026

Information/Special..
The leader in the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, Muhammad al-Mutalibi, confirmed today, Thursday, that completing the ministerial cabinet is one of the sensitive and thorny issues, and requires a great deal of political intervention to resolve it, due to the thin line separating competence and professionalism on the one hand, and the electoral entitlement of the political blocs on the other, especially with regard to the sovereign ministries, specifically the security ministries.

Al-Mutalibi told Al-Maalouma that “candidates for security ministries must have experience, competence, and Read more…

Iraqi electricity company brings good news to citizens regarding power supply hours.

Iraqi electricity company brings good news to citizens regarding power supply hours.

2026-08-06

Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity confirmed on Thursday that the national grid has witnessed a relative improvement in supply hours, indicating that this improvement came as a result of the combination of several factors.

The ministry spokesman, Ahmed Al-Turki, explained to Shafaq News Agency that “the factors that helped improve electricity include, first and foremost, the improvement in fuel supplies, whether through increasing the quantities of Iranian gas, and resuming part of the gas supplies from the Kurdistan Region fields.” Read more…

80% of money is outside banks… Former MP calls for a new strategy to attract hoarded funds

80% of money is outside banks… Former MP calls for a new strategy to attract hoarded funds

8-6-2026

Information/Baghdad…
Former MP Abbas Sarout confirmed on Thursday that 80% of Iraqi money is hoarded in homes, away from banks, noting the need to reconsider the strategy for attracting funds to the banking system.
Sarout explained to Al-Maalouma that “Iraq is suffering from a liquidity crisis that has begun to affect salary distribution, given that 80% of the money is hoarded outside banks. This requires serious attention to adopt a strategy that creates incentives to encourage citizens from all walks of life to deposit their money in banks and adopt electronic Read more…

The National Union and the New Generation are leading a movement to prevent the Democrats from seizing power.

The National Union and the New Generation are leading a movement to prevent the Democrats from seizing power.

8-6-2026

Information/Special..
The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan revealed on Thursday that negotiations to form the Kurdistan Regional Government are still ongoing between the political alliances and the forces that won the elections, which are striving with all their might to undermine the Democratic Party’s monopoly on power and prevent it from monopolizing all government positions.
Burhan Sheikh Marouf, a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), stated that the new alliance comprising the PUK and the New Generation Movement now holds 38 seats out of 100, Read more…

Exclusive: Factions set four conditions for freezing their response to Saudi Arabia

Exclusive: Factions set four conditions for freezing their response to Saudi Arabia

2026-08-06

Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed source revealed on Thursday that the armed factions have “temporarily” frozen their decision to respond to Saudi Arabia, and have put forward their demands, which include an official apology and compensation from Saudi Arabia, otherwise they will proceed with a response.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that “the factions that threatened to respond to the Saudi bombing that targeted a number of Popular Mobilization Forces headquarters in some Read more…

Iraq declares “war” on armed groups outside the state

Iraq declares “war” on armed groups outside the state

2026-08-06

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Wednesday evening, the State Administration Coalition declared that entities engaging in behavior that threatens the country’s security outside the framework of official institutions are “outlaws and must be fought,” and warned that any armed activity after September 30, 2026, will be subject to the provisions of the Counter-Terrorism Law.

This came during the 37th periodic meeting of the coalition, which was held at the Government Palace in the presence of the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of Parliament, the President of the Read more…

Iraq doubles its oil exports in July, easing the impact of declining Gulf supplies.

Iraq doubles its oil exports in July, easing the impact of declining Gulf supplies.

2026-08-06

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Data from Kpler showed that crude oil and condensate exports from the Gulf states stabilized during July at around 10.7 million barrels per day, a slight increase of 2% compared to June, but still about 40% lower than their levels before the escalation of tensions in the region.

Iraq contributed to supporting the region’s exports after it doubled its exports compared to last June, benefiting from an increase in oil tanker shipments, which compensated for some Read more…

“American flirtation”: Opening up to Syria strengthens Iraq’s regional standing

“American flirtation”: Opening up to Syria strengthens Iraq’s regional standing

2026-08-06

Shafaq News – Translation
The American openness to the new Syria is not purely in Syria’s interest, but rather, according to the British website “Amwaj”, it represents an opportunity for Iraq and its regional role, on the political and economic levels.

In what the British website described as the clearest indication yet that Washington intends to transform Damascus from a pariah state into an active regional partner, the report stated that the Donald Trump administration recently informed Congress of its intention Read more…

The Kurdistan Regions Authority responds to the Kirkuk governor regarding Article 140 and calls for respect for the constitution.

The Kurdistan Regions Authority responds to the Kirkuk governor regarding Article 140 and calls for respect for the constitution.

2026-08-06

Shafaq News – Kirkuk
The General Authority of the Kurdistan Regions rejected on Thursday the statements of Kirkuk Governor Mohammed Saman Agha regarding Article (140) of the Iraqi Constitution, stressing that the Constitution represents the basis upon which the political system in Iraq is based, and that any statements that contradict it would deepen the disputes and divert attention from the service files that the governorate needs.

The commission said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that “the Iraqi constitution constitutes the true contract between all components of the Iraqi people, Read more…

A decline in cash credit and deposits in Iraqi banks during the first half of 2026

A decline in cash credit and deposits in Iraqi banks during the first half of 2026

2026-08-06

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Official data showed a decline in total deposits and cash credit in Iraq up to the end of May 2026, while the private sector continued to take the largest share of bank financing.

According to data seen by Shafaq News Agency, total deposits at banks reached 104.296 trillion dinars by the end of May 2026, compared to 104.727 trillion dinars in April and 105.090 trillion dinars in March, reflecting a continued decline for the third consecutive month. Read more…

Parliamentary Finance Committee: No solutions yet for the salary crisis

Parliamentary Finance Committee: No solutions yet for the salary crisis

2026-08-06

Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Thursday, Hussein al-Daraji, a member of the parliamentary finance committee, confirmed that the finance minister had requested to be hosted in parliament to explain the country’s financial situation and discuss the draft borrowing law, while noting that there were no solutions yet to the salary crisis.

Al-Daraji told Shafaq News Agency that the parliament’s presidency has not yet set a date for the session to host the finance minister, which the latter requested, indicating that the session will include a discussion of the draft borrowing law, which the government had previously sent as part of a package of draft laws. Read more…

The movement opposing “Khor Abdullah” demands a clear response from Baghdad regarding the Kuwaiti and Saudi memoranda.

The movement opposing “Khor Abdullah” demands a clear response from Baghdad regarding the Kuwaiti and Saudi memoranda.

2026-08-06

Shafaq News – Basra
The popular movement opposing the Khor Abdullah agreement called on the federal government on Thursday to issue a clear response to the protest notes sent by both Saudi Arabia and Kuwait regarding the maritime borders approved by Iraq, stressing that the country’s borders and waters are not subject to negotiation or compromise.

The movement stated in a statement that it is closely following the recent moves and restrictive measures Read more…

The Minister of Oil directs an increase in production from Kirkuk oil fields and prioritizing local employment.

The Minister of Oil directs an increase in production from Kirkuk oil fields and prioritizing local employment.

2026-08-06

Shafaq News – Baghdad
Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair Al-Abadi stressed on Thursday the need to increase and sustain crude oil production from the four Kirkuk fields, while also promoting gas investment and employing local workers.

This came during his chairmanship of the fourth meeting of the joint management of the field development project being implemented by the British company BP. Read more…