Iraq announces the launch of the “Starlink” service.

The head of the executive body of the Media and Communications Commission, Baligh Abu Kalal, announced on Wednesday the actual launch of the “Starlink” satellite internet service in Iraq. DailyNews Reports

Abu Kalal said in a post published on the “X” platform: “With God’s blessing, the Starlink service has now been officially launched in Iraq.”

The announcement comes after months of regulatory and technical procedures related to introducing satellite internet service to the Iraqi market, allowing users to benefit from the service in accordance with the regulations approved by the competent authorities.

Shafaq.com

Al-Sadr calls on the Revolutionary Guard and militias to stop dragging Iraq into the regional conflict.

On Wednesday, Shiite nationalist leader Muqtada al-Sadr called on the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and “militias” not to drag Iraq into the regional conflict, demanding that the government impose state sovereignty and control security.

In a statement seen by Shafaq News Agency, Sadr said that Iraq is “the land of holy sites,” calling on the Revolutionary Guard not to bomb Iraqi territory as long as it is “not a launching point for bombing the Islamic Republic.” He also called on “unruly militias” not to give the Gulf Arab states an “excuse” to target Iraq.

He added that everyone is required to have a “spirit of brotherhood and peace” and not to be drawn into what he described as “the Zionist-American enemy’s schemes” to drag the parties into fighting and conflict.

Al-Sadr condemned the targeting of Iraqi territory “by all countries and parties,” and, according to the statement, he also condemned “the actions of the militias,” which he said were trying to drag Iraq into a “pointless” war.

He called on the Iraqi government to establish security, enforce sovereignty, and work to protect the Iraqi people and their holy sites, warning against being drawn into “sectarian myths,” and stressing that Iraq “needs peace after the wars that have depleted its resources.”

He also called for caution regarding “sleeper terrorist cells” at home and abroad, considering that they exploit sectarianism to destabilize security, and concluded his statement with a call for peace with neighboring countries and to move away from “bases, normalization and colonial hegemony.”

Al-Sadr’s statement comes after several headquarters belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces in various parts of Iraq were subjected to Saudi-American bombing at dawn on Wednesday, which resulted in the death of at least 20 of its members and the injury of 32 others, in a toll described as “not final”.

Shafaq.com

Why have small denominations disappeared from the markets? Al-Zaydi’s advisor reveals the reasons.

The Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, revealed on Wednesday the reasons for the scarcity of small denominations of currency in Iraqi markets, stressing that this is mainly related to their paper nature and the high speed of their circulation, which leads to their deterioration within a short period of time.

Saleh told Shafaq News Agency that issuing currency in its various denominations is one of the core tasks of the Central Bank of Iraq, which is responsible for managing the currency and providing the necessary liquidity to meet the needs of economic activity and ensure the smooth flow of payments and the stability of cash transactions.

He explained that small denominations of currency represent the primary tool for conducting low-value daily transactions, which makes them the most commonly traded among citizens and markets, and therefore the most susceptible to wear and tear.

Saleh added that Iraq, unlike many countries that rely on coins for small denominations, still uses paper denominations, noting that the lifespan of these denominations does not exceed about one year according to international standards, due to the intensity of their use and their continuous transfer between hands, at a time when reliance on paper money remains high while electronic payment methods continue to grow.

He pointed out that the Central Bank has accurate indicators and statistics to measure the demand for different denominations of currency, and it is the first entity to sense the market’s need to issue or reprint any denomination, especially the small denominations, which are characterized by their rapid circulation compared to the large denominations, which tend to be more towards saving or hoarding.

The government advisor concluded his remarks by saying that “providing small denominations is not just about issuing currency, but also represents one of the indicators of efficient cash management, and contributes to ensuring the smooth flow of economic activity and the stability of the payments system,” stressing that “these denominations are continuously monitored by the Central Bank of Iraq.”

Iraqi markets are experiencing ongoing suffering due to the scarcity of small denominations of currency, such as 250 and 500 dinars, which puts citizens and shop owners in front of frequent difficulties in completing daily buying and selling transactions.

Sellers often resort to compensating for the shortage by giving alternative goods such as gum, tissues, or sweets instead of returning the change as in the markets, while others are forced to round up or down prices, which provokes consumer dissatisfaction.

Shafaq.com

Al-Zaydi and Erdogan agree to begin implementing the “Development Road” and to organize meetings of the “Water Committee”.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed on Tuesday evening to begin implementing the “Strategic Development Road” project and to continue regular meetings of the joint standing committee between the two countries concerned with the water issue. IraqPolitics News

Al-Zaydi’s media office stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that extensive joint talks took place between the two sides at the Presidential Complex in the Turkish capital, Ankara, which included initiating the implementation of the “Strategic Development Road” project, as well as files related to the oil, water, energy, security, trade, transportation and education sectors, and strengthening cooperation and developing projects between the two countries, in addition to agreeing on the regularity of meetings of the Standing Committee concerned with the water file.

According to the statement, Al-Zaydi expressed his thanks and appreciation to Erdogan and the Republic of Turkey for the warm welcome and hospitality, noting that Iraq and Turkey share geography and civilization, and that the Iraqi government seeks to establish an effective economic partnership in various economic and developmental fields.

The Prime Minister affirmed the government’s commitment to proceeding with the strategic development plan, which will be an important economic route for both countries, and reiterated the government’s desire for Turkish companies to participate in implementing investment projects in Iraq.

For his part, the Turkish President renewed his welcome to Al-Zaidi and his accompanying delegation, and stressed the growing common will to cooperate in all fields and to exert more efforts to develop bilateral relations, stressing Turkey’s readiness to support Iraq in the field of civil aviation and to implement the development road project, as well as the readiness of Turkish companies to work and invest in various development sectors in Iraq.

Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi arrived in Ankara on Tuesday for an official visit to the Republic of Turkey, leading a high-level government delegation.

Shafaq.com

The Democratic Party: Tehran rejected Baghdad’s request to allow ships carrying Iraqi oil to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

A politician from the Kurdistan Democratic Party confirmed on Tuesday that Tehran Request rejected Baghdad Allowing ships loaded with Iraqi oil to pass through Strait of Hormuz.

Party member Wafaa Mohammed told [the media outlet] Alsumaria News, that “Iran Iraq’s request to allow ships carrying Iraqi oil to pass through was rejected. Strait of Hormuz “Is this how you repay kindness?” he asked. DailyNews Reports

He added that Iraq It was the lifeblood of the Iranian economy and provided significant assistance to Iran during the sanctions. Iranian oil was sold using forged Iraqi documents, yet today we see no benefit from the Iranian side, which is currently insisting on Iraq paying $12 billion for Iranian gas at inflated prices.
He continued, “We mustn’t forget that Iraqi interests have been targeted repeatedly by Iranian drones and missiles in the Strait of Hormuz.”

Alsumaria.tv

Al-Jalabi: Maliki will not go to parliament before reaching an agreement on passing the remaining ministries.

Zuhair al-Jalabi, a member of the State of Law Coalition, confirmed that the head of his coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, will not go to parliament to complete the cabinet before an understanding and agreement is reached on passing the remaining candidates in al-Zidi’s cabinet.

Al-Jalabi told Al-Maalouma that “the parliamentary session to grant confidence to the government witnessed a conspiracy and a power struggle by parties within the coordination framework with other parties from the Sunni bloc, represented by Al-Halbousi, as they worked to obstruct a third within the council to ensure that the ministers of the State of Law Coalition and the other candidates for the nine remaining ministries in Al-Zaidi’s cabinet were not passed.”

He added that “the conspiracy that took place inside the parliament targeted the head of the State of Law Coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, and this is something that should not be repeated,” noting that “the smiles distributed in the meetings are not real, as there are major disagreements and a lack of trust between the political parties.”

He explained that “Maliki will not go to parliament without reaching an agreement and understanding on passing the candidates for the remaining ministerial positions, in order to avoid a repeat of what happened during the confidence vote session.”

Almaalomah.me

Al-Abadi’s coalition: Party interests are hindering the completion of the government.

The spokesman for the Victory Coalition, Aqeel al-Rudaini, called on political forces Tuesday to set aside personal differences and work toward completing the government’s cabinet.

Al-Rudaini told the Information Agency, “All political parties must overcome their differences and narrow partisan interests, and focus on supporting the completion of the ministerial structure without delay.”

He added, “Completing the cabinet is a fundamental and crucial step to address the economic, service, and security crises plaguing the country, and to meet the aspirations of the citizens.”

Earlier, Zuhair al-Jalabi, a member of the State of Law Coalition, asserted that the parliamentary session to grant confidence to the government was marred by a conspiracy and a power struggle orchestrated by parties within the coordination framework with other Sunni figures, represented by al-Halbousi. He claimed they formed a blocking third within the parliament to ensure the failure to approve the State of Law Coalition’s ministers and other nominees for the nine remaining ministerial positions in al-Zaidi’s cabinet.

Almaalomah.me

Al-Shammari calls on Al-Zaydi to reveal the names of the “corruption kingpins” involved in stealing public funds.

On Tuesday, MP Mohammed Al-Shammari, from the parliamentary services bloc, called on Prime Minister Ali Al-Zidi to reveal the names of the “corruption kingpins” involved in looting and stealing public funds.

Al-Shammari told Al-Maalouma News Agency that “the Prime Minister must take bold and direct steps in the fight against corruption, by announcing the identities of the entities and individuals involved in major cases to the public.”

He added that “delaying the disclosure of these names gives corrupt individuals an opportunity to evade responsibility,” stressing the importance of “public accountability and the recovery of looted funds to support the national economy and enhance citizens’ confidence in the regulatory and executive system.” FinancialMarket Analysis

These statements coincide with escalating popular and political calls directed at the Prime Minister to expand the government’s anti-corruption campaign to include opening major cases and removing corrupt figures in order to end the chronic crisis plaguing the country.

Almaalomah.me

Al-Zaydi: “The development route” transforms Iraq and Turkey into a link between Asia and Europe

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi affirmed on Tuesday that the vital development road project transforms Iraq and Turkey into a link connecting Asia and Europe, while also calling for joint management of the water issue between the two countries.

In an article for the official Turkish news agency Anadolu, Al-Zaydi wrote that “during the past decades, the relationship between Iraq and Turkey was presented from the angle of files that need management: security, water, trade, and border movement,” indicating that the region “stands today before a different opportunity, which requires us to look to the future with a more ambitious eye.” DailyNews Reports

He added that “Iraq has chosen the path of stability, reform and development, and has prioritized building a strong economy, an effective state, and balanced foreign relations that make regional cooperation a pillar of growth,” stressing that Turkey “possesses an advanced industrial base, a strategic location, and extensive experience in the fields of infrastructure, energy and transportation.”

Al-Zaydi said that “the potential of the two countries together is not just shared borders, but a wide space to build one of the most important economic partnerships in the region,” noting that “Iraq and Turkey have a historic opportunity to transform their geographical location into economic value, making them a link between the Gulf, Asia and Europe.”

He pointed out that “the development route is not just an Iraqi project, but a regional one that redefines the concept of economic connectivity in the Middle East,” explaining that “the development route not only shortens the time for transporting goods, but also creates new cities, industrial zones, investment opportunities, thousands of jobs, and gives the region a new economic artery that connects ports to global markets.”

In another part of his article, the Iraqi Prime Minister addressed the issue of water, saying that it “is no longer just a technical issue, but has become a development issue that affects the future of millions of citizens,” expressing his hope for “joint management of the water issue based on mutual interests, scientific cooperation, and investment in modern technologies, in order to achieve water and food security for our people.”

These statements come at a time when Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is expected to make an official visit at the head of a high-level government delegation to Ankara to discuss several issues with Turkish officials regarding bilateral relations between the two countries, and the events and developments taking place in the region.

In April 2024, Iraq, Turkey, the UAE and Qatar signed a four-way agreement for the Iraq Development Road project, under the auspices of former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The project, which includes a 1,200-kilometer road and railway within Iraq, aims to promote economic integration between East and West, increase international trade, and facilitate the movement of goods.

The project’s investment budget is approximately $17 billion, divided between $6.5 billion for the highway and $10.5 billion for the electric railway. It will be implemented in three phases, ending in 2028, 2033, and 2050.

The project is expected to provide around 100,000 job opportunities in the first phase and one million job opportunities upon completion, and will promote economic growth and regional and international cooperation.

Shafaq.com

Al-Zaidi arrives in Türkiye on an official visit

Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi arrived in Ankara on Tuesday for an official visit to the Republic of Turkey, leading a high-level government delegation.

The Prime Minister’s Media Office stated in a statement that Al-Zidi will meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and a number of senior Turkish officials to discuss ways to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the areas of economy, water, security and investment, in addition to discussing files and issues of common interest related to the region.

He added that the visit will include discussions on mechanisms for implementing bilateral agreements and memoranda of understanding, and following up on and developing joint infrastructure projects, in a way that serves the interests of the two neighboring countries.

Commenting on the visit, Al-Zaidi said in a post on the “X” platform, “We are linked to Türkiye by historical, geographical and cultural proximity, and by diverse common interests.”

He added, “During our visit, we will discuss investment, water, and development initiatives, as well as efforts to enhance stability in the region, in addition to addressing a number of economic and security issues, all of which will contribute to achieving mutual benefit for our two peoples.” FinancialMarket Analysis

According to a government source, the visit to the Turkish capital, Ankara, will include talks and cooperation agreements in the security, economic and investment fields, as well as oil and energy issues and increasing trade exchange, in addition to discussing a number of regional and international issues.

Al-Zaidi had visited the United States on July 14, before making an official visit to Iran on July 24, as part of regional and international diplomatic moves that Iraq has witnessed recently.

Shafaq.com