Al-Karawi calls for opening the file on “black applications” that have drained citizens’ savings
5-18-2026
Information/Baghdad…
MP Mudhar al-Karawi called on Monday for an investigation into what he described as “black market applications” that have drained the savings of a large segment of citizens in several provinces over the past few years.
Al-Karawi told Al-Maalouma that “recent years have witnessed the emergence of companies operating financial trading applications in several provinces, offering attractive returns to those who deposited their savings, before these applications suddenly shut down and disappeared, taking with them hundreds of millions of dinars of citizens’ Read more…
The rule of law is moving to reconsider the formation of the coordination framework.
5-18-2026
Information/Baghdad…
Former MP Arif al-Hamami confirmed on Monday that the next phase will witness a review of the formation of the Coordination Framework, considering it the safety valve for the political process in the country.
Al-Hamami told Al-Maalouma that “the vote of confidence for Ali al-Zaidi’s government and its accompanying results have raised many questions,” noting Read more…
Parliament is moving to avoid a “paralysis” scenario and aims to finalize the oil, gas, and telecommunications laws.
5-18-2026
Information/Baghdad…
MP Hussein Ali announced on Monday a serious parliamentary determination to avoid a repeat of the scenario that disrupted parliamentary sessions in the previous session. He emphasized that the House of Representatives has successfully completed the reading and passage of 16 laws so far, focusing on strategic legislation related to oil and Read more…
Determination: Parliamentary consensus to dismiss Halbousi from the presidency of Parliament
5-18-2026
Al-Maalomah/Anbar –
Mohammed Dhari al-Dulaimi, a leader in the “Azm” Alliance, revealed on Monday that there is a broad parliamentary movement to collect signatures from a number of MPs from various blocs, with the aim of withdrawing confidence from Speaker of Parliament Haibat al-Halbousi and removing him from his position.
Al-Dulaimi told Al-Maalomah that “there is an agreement among MPs Read more…
Al-Khalidi reveals a “powerful alliance” led by Al-Maliki and a parallel movement to Al-Sudani that includes 100 MPs.
5-18-2026
Information/Baghdad…
Member of the Coordination Framework, Mohammed al-Khalidi, revealed today, Monday, an intense political movement to form new alliances within the Council of Representatives. He pointed to the inclination of some forces towards the opposition front led by the head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, countered by a parallel movement by the head of the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, to form a major Read more…
Due to Al-Halbousi’s ambitions for dominance, the “Sunni House” is on the verge of collapse.
5-18-2026
The Sunni political scene is on edge, amid warnings of the imminent collapse of the Sunni Council due to the efforts of Mohammed al-Halbousi, head of the Progress Party, to monopolize political decision-making and impose his absolute control over the resources and sovereign positions allocated to the Sunni community. This has provoked the ire of other political figures, who have begun to mobilize to curb these ambitions.
Current indicators suggest that the division and fragmentation Read more…
Al-Hamami: An important political formation headed by Al-Maliki will be announced soon.
5-18-2026
Information/Special…
Former MP Arif al-Hamami acknowledged on Monday that a significant political formation is emerging on the Iraqi scene, headed by Nouri al-Maliki, and may be announced in the near future.
Al-Hamami told Al-Maalouma that “the political landscape in Iraq needs adjustments to ensure its proper Read more…
British report details al-Zaidi’s “impossible mission”
2026-05-18
Shafaq News – Translation
The rise of Ali al-Zaidi to the premiership in Iraq reflects more than just a routine transfer of power; it represents a profound shift in the political landscape. However, his success depends not only on his reform agenda, but also, according to the London-based Middle East Online website, on whether the fragmented political forces and their external supporters are willing to accept the new balance of power. Read more…
Iraq asks Saudi Arabia to share information on drones: We have not detected any indications
2026-05-18
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its concern on Monday regarding reports of three drone attacks targeting facilities in Saudi Arabia, stressing Iraq’s rejection of any threat to the security of brotherly countries.
The ministry said in a statement, which was received by Shafaq News Agency, that the competent Iraqi authorities received initial information about Saudi Read more…
Popular credit between bank deficits and the expansion of usurious loans
2026-05-18
Shafaq News – Baghdad
In the crowded commercial alleys of Baghdad, specifically in the Al-Shourja and Jamila markets, a parallel financial market is growing daily, far from the eyes of official institutions.
There, the citizen does not need complicated banking transactions, a guarantor, or a long wait to get money. A phone call or a recommendation from a local intermediary is enough to get an immediate cash loan, in exchange for high interest rates and conditions Read more…
Kuwait: We support any action taken by Saudi Arabia after it was targeted by drones from Iraq.
2026-05-18
Shafaq News – Kuwait
Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry condemned on Monday the drone attack on Saudi Arabia launched from Iraq, and affirmed its support for any action taken by the Kingdom.
The Ministry said in a statement: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the State of Kuwait’s strong condemnation and denunciation of the aggression to which the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was subjected by drones coming Read more…
First demonstration in al-Zaydi’s government: 5,000 graduates demonstrate in central Baghdad (Update)
2026-05-18
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Thousands of graduates demonstrated on Monday in the center of Baghdad, the capital, to demand employment.
A source told Shafaq News Agency that the protesters were old graduates who demanded to be included in the appointments within the current year’s budget.
A video showed the large number of protesters in the Alawi area in central Baghdad. Read more…
The Integrity Commission announces new instructions for handling reports of corruption and illicit enrichment.
2026-05-18
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Monday, the Federal Integrity Commission noted the publication in the Iraqi Gazette of “Instructions for the Mechanism of Receiving Information and Reports on Corruption and Illicit Gains Cases and How to Deal with Them,” stressing that the instructions aim to regulate the procedures for receiving information and reports related to suspicions of corruption and to strengthen Read more…
Central Bank of Iraq: Trade surplus in 2025 reached $24 billion
2026-05-18
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Data released by the Central Bank of Iraq on Monday showed that Iraq achieved a trade surplus of approximately $24.686 billion during 2025, driven by a higher value of exports compared to imports.
According to foreign trade data calculated on an FOB basis, which was reviewed by Shafaq News Agency, total Iraqi exports during Read more…
“Observations that were not raised”: The State of Law coalition criticizes the al-Zaydi government’s program and demands the cancellation of al-Sudani’s decisions.
2026-05-18
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Monday, a member of the State of Law bloc expressed reservations about the ministerial program of Ali al-Zidi’s government, noting that these reservations were not presented during the confidence vote session held last Thursday.
MP Ibtisam Al-Hilali told Shafaq News Agency that the bloc has some reservations about the ministerial program of Ali Al-Zidi’s government, noting that these reservations Read more…
Iranian media: Tehran’s new proposal to end the war consists of 14 points.
2026-05-18
Shafaq News – Tehran
Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported on Monday that Tehran had submitted, through Pakistani mediation, a new negotiating text containing 14 points, as part of ongoing talks with the United States.
The agency quoted a source close to the negotiating team as saying that the new Iranian text focuses on negotiations to Read more…
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Exclusive: Washington ends controversy over reasons for Petraeus’s visit to Iraq
2026-05-18
Shafaq News – Washington/ Mustafa Hashim
The US State Department clarified on Monday that David Petraeus does not hold any official position within the US mission in Iraq, commenting on the controversy surrounding his visit to Baghdad after talk of him being assigned special tasks or as an envoy of US President Donald Trump.
A ministry spokesman told Shafaq News Agency that “David Petraeus is Read more…
Another withdrawal from the Sudanese coalition
2026-05-18
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Monday, MP Ali Anhir Al-Sarai announced his withdrawal from the “Reconstruction and Development” bloc led by former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, confirming that he will continue to work as an independent MP within the House of Representatives.
Al-Sarai said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, “Based on Read more…
Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 5-17-2026
5-17-2026 Newshound Guru Clare Article: “Al-Hilali reveals details of the US deadline for Al-Zidi’s government: six months for evaluation and another to decide on support” Quote: “Prime Minister’s advisor Ayed Al-Hilali as saying that Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi is required to make very significant changes in order to implement what he described as the United States’ conditions …Washington gave Al-Zaidi an initial six-month grace period to assess the performance of his government…American support would not be free, but rather linked to the existence of a political and executive quid pro quo for this support.” Read more…
200 billion dinars for the ministry… Al-Halbousi opens the auction for senior positions in Al-Zaidi’s government
5-17-2026
Al-Maalomah/Anbar…
A responsible source in Anbar province revealed on Sunday that Mohammed al-Halbousi, head of the Progress Alliance, has opened an auction for senior positions in the new government following the vote to appoint Ali al-Zaidi as Prime Minister.
The source told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “the Progress Alliance offices in the Sunni-majority provinces have become a marketplace for selling senior Read more…
