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The Zaidi government is knocking on the doors of international dependency and ignoring sovereign alternatives.

The Al – Zaidi government is facing a barrage of political and economic criticism following leaked information about its formal request for a loan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Observers have described this move as “economic suicide,” the price of which will be paid directly by ordinary citizens.

While the government seeks quick solutions to address the upcoming budget deficit, financial experts believe that turning to international institutions is a misguided and ill-conceived choice, especially given the existence of substantial local and sovereign alternatives that could provide a genuine way out of the crisis without resorting to the IMF’s stringent conditions.

The real danger of this approach lies in the “ready-made prescriptions” imposed by the IMF, which invariably target the pockets of low-income citizens by lifting subsidies on basic goods, imposing progressive taxes, and reducing government employment—measures that are guaranteed to exacerbate poverty and unemployment rates in the country.

Economic circles confirmed to Al-Maalomah that resorting to external borrowing reflects a clear planning deficiency, while alternative and readily available rescue solutions exist. These include activating tax collection and customs duties, recovering looted funds, reducing unnecessary expenditures, and revitalizing the stalled investment sector, which could provide the upcoming budget with the necessary liquidity to prevent Iraq from falling into the trap of permanent economic dependency.

In this context, economic expert Saleh al-Khafaji outlined the potential negative effects of borrowing from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on the Iraqi economy. He called on the government to be transparent with the public regarding the existence of any borrowing efforts, the amount of funds required, and the economic repercussions.
Al-Khafaji explained to Al-Maalomah that “the IMF revealed the Iraqi government’s efforts to borrow, which contradicts what Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi announced a few days ago regarding his government’s intention not to borrow and burden the treasury with further debt.”

He pointed out that “borrowing from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) could have negative repercussions due to the interest rates, conditions, and binding decisions that could directly affect government spending,” noting that such loans could increase the size of external debt and exacerbate the financial burdens on the general budget.
Al-Khafaji stressed the need for clear government transparency with the public regarding the existence of any efforts to borrow from the IMF, the amount of funds that might be borrowed, and an explanation of its impact on the Iraqi economy.

The economist questioned the wisdom of raising the dollar exchange rate if there were indeed efforts to borrow from the IMF, warning that the accumulation of external debt could impose additional burdens on the Iraqi budget and economy.
For his part, economist Ziad al-Hashemi criticized the Iraqi government’s move towards borrowing from the IMF, considering that this step raises questions about the justifications for devaluing the Iraqi dinar, which was presented as a measure to avoid resorting to more painful financial options, including external borrowing.
Al-Hashemi said in a post on his Facebook page that the negotiations with the International Monetary Fund to obtain financial support reveal, in his opinion, a contradiction in the government’s position, especially after justifying the change in the exchange rate by saying that it aims to avoid external borrowing.

He added that resorting to IMF loans might be linked to conditions related to managing public spending and maximizing revenues, as well as the possibility of reviewing government subsidy policies, particularly in the fuel and electricity sectors and other high-spending sectors.

Al-Hashemi pointed out that “the government should have clarified to citizens the nature of its approach to external borrowing and the reasons that prompted it to take this step, despite the change in the dinar’s exchange rate just a few weeks ago.”

He warned that “borrowing could impose additional burdens on Iraqi fiscal policy,” noting that the recommendations associated with IMF programs could, if a financing agreement is reached, become obligations tied to the loan’s conditions and implementation mechanisms.

Almaalomah.me

Al-Zaydi directs an increase in oil production and assigns his deputy to follow up on the matter.

On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi directed the Ministry of Oil to take practical steps to increase oil production and maximize revenues, in light of the damage inflicted on Iraq by the events taking place in the region.

The directives came during a visit by Al-Zaidi to the Ministry of Oil headquarters in Baghdad, his second since the formation of the government five months ago. During the visit, he chaired a meeting of the ministry’s senior staff, in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs, the Ministers of Oil and Electricity, the Head of the Board of Advisors, and a number of energy advisors, according to a statement issued by his office and received by Shafaq News Agency.

During the meeting, Al-Zaydi stressed the need to continue working to increase oil production capacity and enhance the revenues generated from it, emphasizing that the government will take a set of important measures and steps to achieve these goals, especially in light of the repercussions that Iraq is facing as a result of regional developments.

He also called for overcoming past mistakes and addressing shortcomings that have hindered the development of the oil sector, noting his directives to the Integrity Commission to follow up on corruption cases that have caused inaction and wasted many opportunities to develop this vital sector.

As part of monitoring the implementation of the plans, Al-Zaydi announced the assignment of the Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs to follow up on the work of the Ministry of Oil and the production and export files, stressing the importance of raising the level of performance and achieving the planned goals.

Shafaq.com

The dollar exchange rate has reached 169,000 dinars in Iraqi markets.

On Monday morning, the exchange rate of the US dollar recorded a new high in the markets of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, and in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region.

A correspondent for Shafaq News Agency said that the price of the dollar rose in the Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges in Baghdad to 168,600 dinars for 100 dollars, compared to yesterday, Sunday, when it reached 168,000 dinars for 100 dollars.

Our correspondent noted that the selling prices in currency exchange shops in the local markets of Baghdad rose to record 169,000 dinars for 100 dollars, while the buying price reached 168,000 dinars.

In Erbil, the dollar prices also rose, with the selling price recording 168,400 dinars for 100 dollars, while the buying price reached 168,300 dinars for 100 dollars.

Shafaq.com

From Baghdad, Washington warns of Iranian attacks and the closure of airspace.

The US Embassy in Iraq on Sunday urged its citizens in the Middle East to exercise caution given the complex security situation, warning of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions.

The embassy stated in a ” security alert ” issued on October 18, 2026, that Americans should monitor the operations of airports and airlines, check the status of their flights directly through airlines or official airport websites, and develop alternative plans in case of any emergency.

She warned that Iran and its proxies could target other U.S. interests abroad or sites associated with the United States and its citizens, including U.S. companies and institutions.

According to the US embassy, ​​the Iranian-backed Houthis have carried out attacks against Saudi Arabia, including on civilian airports and vital infrastructure, resulting in civilian casualties and major travel disruptions, suggesting “the possibility of hostilities rapidly expanding beyond the immediate region.”

In conclusion, the embassy urged American travelers to monitor flight status via the websites of Baghdad, Erbil, Basra and Sulaymaniyah airports, in anticipation of any changes in flight schedules or air traffic.

Shafaq.com

The presidential decree appointing Al-Zidi’s deputies and 11 ministers has been issued.

The President of the Republic issued a presidential decree appointing the Deputy Prime Ministers and 11 Ministers, after Parliament voted on them.

The Republican Decree, which was received by Shafaq News Agency and bears the date of October 18, states: Based on the provisions of Article 73, Paragraph Seven, and Article 76, Paragraph Four of the Constitution, and based on the approval of the House of Representatives by an absolute majority to grant confidence to the Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers and their taking the constitutional oath, we have decreed their appointment.

It is noted that the House of Representatives voted last Thursday on three deputies to the Prime Minister, Ali al-Zidi, and on 11 candidates for vacant ministries, including a Minister of State .

The Deputy Prime Ministers are: Mohsen Ali Akbar Al-Mandalawi, Laith Hadi Sayed Al-Khazali, and Mohammed Ali Tamim.

As for the ministers, Yasser Abdul Sakheel Mohammed Al-Maliki was voted on as Minister of the Interior, Naif Mukeef Shanan Al-Shammari as Minister of Defense, Qutaiba Ghazi Majeed Hamid as Minister of Planning, Haider Bahaa Saheb Al-Husseini as Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Yassin Mohammed Hamad Al-Ithawi as Minister of Culture .

The following were also voted on: Ribaz Mohammed Abdullah Hamlan as Minister of Construction, Housing and Municipalities, Mohammed Raad Jawad Al-Mousawi as Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Safaa Mahdi Saleh Al-Kinani as Minister of Youth and Sports, Mohammed Saheb Al-Daraji as Minister of Digital Economy, Governance, Science and Technology, Ali Abdul Hadi Mohammed Al-Dakhili as Minister of Tourism, and Mohammed Samaan Kanaan Youssef as Minister of State

Shafaq.com

Iraq is absent from the list of major holders of US Treasury bonds.

Data from the US Treasury Department for August 2026 showed that Saudi Arabia and the UAE were among the top holders of US bonds, while Iraq was absent from the list.

According to data seen by Shafaq News Agency, Saudi Arabia’s holdings amounted to $141.2 billion in August, compared to $142.4 billion in July, while the UAE’s holdings rose to $116.1 billion, compared to $110.1 billion in the previous month.

Saudi Arabia came in 17th place, and the UAE in 19th place, while Japan topped the list with holdings of $1.068 trillion, followed by the United Kingdom with $1.009 trillion, and then China with $590.7 billion.

Foreign holdings of U.S. Treasury securities totaled $9.332 trillion in August, compared to $9.248 trillion in July.

Iraq last appeared in the list of the top 40 countries holding US bonds in December 2022, when its holdings amounted to about $40.8 billion.

Iraq’s absence from the list does not mean that it has withdrawn its funds entirely, as this may indicate that its holdings have fallen below the level of the listed countries, or have fallen below the limit that allows it to appear on the list.

Shafaq.com

Erbil: 1700 plots of land distributed to government employees

The Kurdistan Regional Government announced on Monday the distribution of 1,700 new plots of land to employees within the Erbil Governorate.

The Minister of Municipalities and Tourism in the regional government, Sasan Awni, said in a press conference attended by a correspondent from Shafaq News Agency, that “since the implementation of the decision to distribute land among employees according to the procedures followed since July of last year, 40,000 plots of land have been distributed so far, while the auditing of the forms of another 50,000 employees continues.”

Awani added that “the overall process of distributing land to employees has exceeded 50%, and it is continuing until it includes all those who are eligible,” explaining that in addition to distributing land among employees, the original landowners whose properties are included in this process will be compensated.

Shafaq.com

Diyala completes the first phase of the 50,000 free residential land plots project

The local government in Diyala announced on Friday the completion of the first phase of the one million free residential plots project, within the province’s allocated share of approximately 50,000 plots, in accordance with directives issued by the federal government.

Diyala Deputy Governor Hassan al-Jubouri told Al-Maalomah that “the local government has formed a central committee to proceed with the implementation of the one million free residential plots project, under which Diyala province has been allocated approximately 50,000 plots, according to instructions received from Baghdad.”
He added that “the first phase of the project, related to forming the central committee and determining the geographical locations of the included lands, has been completed,” noting that “exceptional efforts are currently being made to complete all the necessary requirements to move the project forward.”

Al-Jubouri indicated that “the Prime Minister is scheduled to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the first phase of this important project,” explaining that Diyala is one of the provinces suffering from a severe housing crisis. He added that distributing residential land will alleviate the pressure on citizens seeking land plots, as well as include various segments of the population in the project.
He affirmed that work is ongoing to complete the administrative and legal requirements for land allocation, paving the way for the next phases of the project.

Almaalomah.me

The government is not yet complete… Parliament votes on 11 ministers and 3 deputy prime ministers

The Iraqi parliament voted on Thursday evening to approve three deputy prime ministers, including Ali al-Zaidi, and 11 candidates for vacant ministerial posts, including a minister of state. Iraqeconomic news

This came during the 26th session held by Parliament, chaired by Speaker Hebat Al-Halbousi, and attended by 261 members of parliament.

The media office of the House of Representatives said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that the members of the council voted on the deputy prime ministers, namely Mohsen Ali Akbar Al-Mandalawi, Laith Hadi Sayed Al-Khazali, and Muhammad Ali Tamim.

As for the ministers, Yasser Abdul Sakheel Mohammed Al-Maliki was voted on as Minister of the Interior, Nayef Mukeef Shanan Al-Shammari as Minister of Defense, Qutaiba Ghazi Majeed Hamid as Minister of Planning, Haider Bahaa Saheb Al-Husseini as Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Yassin Mohammed Hamad Al-Ithawi as Minister of Culture.

The following were also voted on: Ribaz Mohammed Abdullah Hamlan as Minister of Construction, Housing and Municipalities, Mohammed Raad Jawad Al-Mousawi as Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, Safaa Mahdi Saleh Al-Kinani as Minister of Youth and Sports, Mohammed Saheb Al-Daraji as Minister of Digital Economy, Governance, Science and Technology, Ali Abdul Hadi Mohammed Al-Dakhili as Minister of Tourism, and Mohammed Samaan Kanaan Youssef as Minister of State.

Following that, the Deputy Prime Ministers and Ministers took the constitutional oath before the House of Representatives, and then the session was adjourned.

According to a parliamentary source speaking to Shafaq News Agency, political disagreements prevented members of parliament from voting on the fourth deputy prime minister, as well as on the nominee for the Ministry of Migration and Displacement.

Shafaq.com