Security source: Two spy drones shot down in the airspace of Baghdad’s Green Zone

A security source reported on Tuesday that the air defense system of the US Embassy successfully intercepted and destroyed two drones in the airspace of the fortified Green Zone in central Baghdad.

The source confirmed to Shafaq News Agency that “the two aircraft were not booby-trapped but reconnaissance aircraft, and parts of their scattered wreckage fell in areas close to the Green Zone.”

This coincided with what a security source and eyewitnesses reported earlier in the day, that explosions were heard in various parts of the capital after 2:00 PM, extending from the city center to its south, prompting security forces on both the Karkh and Rusafa sides to mobilize to search for the source of the sounds.

The source indicated that sirens were activated inside the US embassy located in the Green Zone.

Later, the head of the Security Media Cell, Major General Saad Maan, explained in a statement to Shafaq News Agency that the sounds heard in Baghdad were the result of dealing with an unidentified drone in the vicinity of the Green Zone.

Shafaq.com

Central Bank: Iraq’s reserves have recovered by approximately $80 billion, and Al-Zidi is monitoring the arrival of shipments.

The Central Bank of Iraq confirmed on Tuesday that Iraq’s dollar reserves have recovered to approximately $80 billion during September and October, reassuring citizens about the availability of cash dollars. The bank indicated that new shipments are expected to arrive in the country in the coming days. Mahmoud Daghir, advisor to the governor of the Central Bank of Iraq and the bank’s spokesperson, told the official news agency that “total dollar reserves, whether held in the Central Bank’s account or the government’s account with the Federal Reserve, improved during September and October of this year, 2026, after falling to $73 billion. Now, the reserves have returned to nearly $80 billion.” He added, “The gold reserves remain unchanged at 170 tons.”

He also explained that “the improvement in dollar reserves during September and October was due to the amounts of oil exports, which reached close to (6) billion,” indicating that “this is an acceptable level in light of the current crisis.”

He added that “Iraq’s problem is its heavy reliance on oil as a source of public revenue, and in financing public spending, especially salaries. Consequently, there is practically no figure for reserves, but rather what is called reserve sufficiency.” He continued, saying, “If our oil exports were cut off, as happened in April, May, and June of last year, the reserve was sufficient for a year, and it decreased to approximately nine months, and now it has begun to return to its previous level.” He warned, “Reserves are not measured by an absolute value, but rather by their ability to support our foreign trade, because we rely heavily on foreign trade.”

He pointed out that “the process of relying on reserves to cover our needs is difficult and illogical,” stressing “the need for the Ministry of Finance to make an effort to find sources that reduce reliance on reserves.”

He also pointed out that “Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi is personally monitoring the arrival of dollar shipments, with each shipment carrying approximately half a billion.”

He added: “Two planes have arrived loaded with US dollars, and other shipments will follow in the coming days, according to statements by the Prime Minister.”

An advisor to the governor of the Central Bank of Iraq sent a message of reassurance to citizens, confirming that “cash dollars are available at the Central Bank, and this is the reason why travelers can obtain six quotas annually instead of the two quotas that were set four months ago.”

Dagher added that “Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi stated that there is an agreement to continue sending shipments in the coming days, but their continued arrival remains dependent on security conditions.”

He explained that “the outbreak of any confrontation, war or conflict may raise challenges related to securing the arrival of cash shipments, especially since a single shipment carries about half a billion dollars, which requires providing the necessary protection to transport and deliver it safely to its destination,” expressing his hope “that the country will not witness such circumstances, and that the situation will continue normally in a way that ensures that citizens are not burdened with additional burdens.”

Regarding the deposit of Iraqi reserves with the US Federal Reserve, Dagher stressed that “this option is based on logical, scientific and technical considerations, and not on political desire.” Iraqeconomic update

He pointed out that “there are legal cases filed abroad concerning Iraqi government banks that have not yet been resolved,” indicating that “resolving these cases may provide Iraq with other options regarding where to deposit its reserves.” He continued, saying that “Iraq’s resorting to placing the majority of its reserves with the US Federal Reserve comes within the framework of the protection it provides for these funds.”

He concluded by saying: “Iraq has reserves distributed in a number of financial centers around the world, including Europe, Basel, the UAE and China, but the main part of them is with the US Federal Reserve, because of the protection it provides for Iraqi reserves.”

Burathanews.com

Al-Zaidi oversees the signing of 9 memoranda of understanding in Jordan

On Monday, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi and Jordanian Prime Minister sponsored the signing ceremony of nine memoranda of understanding and executive programs.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Media Office and received by Shafaq News Agency, the ceremony included the signing of a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of competition and prevention of monopoly, another in the field of environmental protection, as well as a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of higher education and scientific research for the years 2026-2031.

The statement added that the ceremony also included the signing of memoranda of understanding for cooperation in the areas of consumer protection, documents and archives, and cooperation between the Diplomatic Institute and the Foreign Service Institute of the Republic of Iraq, as well as a mechanism for cooperation in the field of supporting small and medium enterprises, and an amended version of the executive program for cultural cooperation for the years 2026-2028, in addition to the executive program for educational cooperation for the years 2026-2028.

Al-Zaidi had arrived in the Jordanian capital at the head of a high-level delegation, on an official visit aimed at discussing bilateral cooperation and regional developments, according to what was announced by government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi, who indicated that the visit would witness the signing of memoranda of understanding for joint economic and development programs.

Al-Zaidi is scheduled to visit Lebanon and Syria this week, according to a source for Shafaq News Agency. He previously visited the Saudi capital, Riyadh, last Wednesday, as part of an official tour that also included Kuwait.

Shafaq.com

20 billion in 3 neighboring countries… Expected parliamentary action to recover looted funds and combat corruption

MP Abdul Amir Najm revealed today, Monday, the most prominent vital draft laws that the government is working to finalize and send to Parliament in the coming period. He indicated that foremost among them is the “Settlement and Recovery” draft law, which aims to activate mechanisms for recovering looted public funds and curbing financial and administrative corruption.

Najm told the Information Agency, “Parliament is awaiting the arrival of several important draft laws with oversight and financial dimensions from the government, most notably the Settlement and Recovery Law, which represents a qualitative legislative pillar to enable oversight and judicial bodies to pursue smuggled funds and those involved in stealing public money inside and outside the country.”

He added, “The enactment of this law will give the state greater flexibility and faster legal tools to recover stolen funds and reinvest them in the public treasury and development projects, and close the legislative loopholes that corrupt individuals have exploited over the past years to escape with looted funds.”

Najm explained that “the Parliamentary Integrity Committee is determined to give top priority to all legislation related to combating corruption and protecting national wealth as soon as it reaches Parliament,” stressing “the necessity of integration and high-level coordination between the legislative and executive branches to enact these stringent laws and put an end to those who encroach upon the livelihood of the Iraqi people.”
In this context, previous official statistics showed that final court rulings had been issued to recover public funds amounting to $20.48 billion, coinciding with the recovery of more than $25 million internationally over two years.

According to the data, oversight and judicial bodies, along with the Iraqi Funds Recovery Fund, were able to recover $379 million from abroad, $13 million from French banks, $9 million from Italy, and $3 million from Lebanon, in addition to recovering 19 billion dinars domestically.

The investigations also uncovered assets and funds under surveillance in neighboring countries, including $1.45 billion in Syria, $700 million in Jordan, and $193 million in Turkey. Rewards ranging from 5% to 10% were offered to informants and collaborators. Iraqeconomic update

Almaalomah.me

Al-Janabi today and Al-Samarrai on Thursday… The judiciary sets trial dates for detainees arrested in the “Green Zone raids”

A judicial source revealed on Monday the dates for the trials of four prominent figures arrested in the Green Zone raids four months ago, due to their names appearing in files containing allegations of financial and administrative corruption.

The source explained to Al-Maalomah that “the trials of those accused in corruption cases begin today, Monday, with the head of the Legislation Party, MP Ziyad al-Janabi, at the forefront. The trial of the director of the Oil Products Distribution Company, Hussein Talib, will be held on Tuesday, and the case of the head of the Azm Alliance, Muthanna al-Samarrai, will be heard on Thursday. The verdict for MP Mohammed al-Sayhoud is expected on November 8th.”

The source added that “postponing the trial of any of them or the pronouncement of the verdict is possible and is subject to the discretion of the competent courts, especially given the existence of evidence that might lead in this direction. However, in any case, most of the pending cases are likely to be resolved.”

He noted that “other cases have reached the final stages of investigation, and therefore the coming weeks will be crucial in resolving most of the cases under investigation, especially those of those arrested in the Green Zone raids four months ago.”

Almaalomah.me

An economist warns of a “cost of living setback” due to exchange rate volatility.

Economic expert Abdul Rahman Al-Mashhadani warned on Monday of the significant negative repercussions of exchange rate instability and the current market turmoil. He emphasized that relying on stopgap solutions and manipulating the currency directly harms citizens’ purchasing power and is detrimental to the economy.

In a statement to the Information Agency, Al-Mashhadani said, “The true salvation of the Iraqi economy does not lie in changing the exchange rate or raising the price of the dollar, as these measures may provide quick and temporary liquidity to the state treasury, but they do not constitute financial reform in themselves without comprehensive strategic plans.”

He added, “The Iraqi market is experiencing clear turmoil that necessitates a genuine and urgent review by the Central Bank of the current monetary policy mechanisms.” He pointed out that “true financial reform requires building a genuine, diversified revenue system, reducing wasteful spending within the state apparatus, and making serious efforts to recover smuggled funds and assets.”

Al-Mashhadani stressed “the necessity of immediate intervention by the Central Bank and the injection of sufficient quantities of foreign currency to cover the market’s basic needs and curb speculators who are exploiting the absence of radical solutions to raise prices,” while warning that “the continuation of the current situation without radical solutions will directly exacerbate the crisis and increase the cost of imports, which threatens a decline in living standards and widens the poverty line among citizens.”

Almaalomah.me

Sinjar Resistance Units announce their integration into the Iraqi security system

On Monday, the leadership of the Sinjar Resistance Units announced the end of its “independent” military affiliation and its integration into the security system, as part of the process of restricting weapons to the state.

The command said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, “We announce reaching an agreement with the Iraqi federal government regarding ending the independent military affiliation of our forces, the Sinjar Resistance Units and the Sinjar Women’s Units, which numbered 4,165 male and female fighters, and integrating them into the federal security system and restricting weapons to the state, in accordance with the legal and institutional frameworks and agreed understandings, thus establishing a new phase of national partnership and shared responsibility.” Iraqeconomic update

She added, “This agreement comes in the context of the history of Sinjar and what our Yazidi people witnessed in terms of genocide in August 2014 at the hands of ISIS mercenaries, when they faced killing, captivity, displacement and the danger of annihilation. At a time when about a third of the area of ​​Iraq, including Nineveh Governorate, fell under the control of the terrorist organization, Mount Sinjar remained steadfast through its sons of the Yazidi resistance. At that fateful moment, the Sinjar Resistance Units and the Sinjar Women’s Units were born.”

The leadership considered this decision as “not turning the page on our history nor denying the sacrifices of the years of resistance, but rather moving from a stage imposed by genocide and war to a stage of working within the institutions of the state. We affirm that restricting weapons to the hands of the state and unifying the security decision is the basis for consolidating sovereignty, preventing the return of terrorism and enhancing stability, provided that the implementation of the agreement is accompanied by preserving the rights of the male and female fighters, and ensuring the security of Sinjar.”

Shafaq.com

Al-Zaidi from Amman: Iraq continues its efforts to end the region’s crises

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi affirmed on Monday his government’s keenness to enhance cooperation with Jordan, particularly in the economic, trade and investment fields, stressing the continuation of coordination and efforts aimed at ending crises and tensions in the region and establishing the foundations of stability.

The Prime Minister’s Media Office said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that Al-Zaidi met, during his official visit to the Jordanian capital Amman, with Jordanian King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein, and the two sides discussed bilateral relations and ways to enhance cooperation in accordance with the agreements and memoranda of understanding signed between the two countries.

Al-Zaydi explained that the visit aims to strengthen the historical relations between the two countries, and to continue enhancing bilateral cooperation, especially in the economic, trade and investment fields, and to develop joint projects.

He pointed out that Iraq today represents a meeting point for everyone, and adopts the principle of balance and achieving common interests in its relations with sisterly and friendly countries, stressing the continuation of coordination and work to end crises and tensions in the region and establish stability in it.

For his part, King Abdullah II affirmed Jordan’s keenness to enhance cooperation with Iraq at all levels, especially political, economic and developmental, noting his country’s support for Iraq’s pivotal role and its efforts to achieve security and stability in the region.

Al-Zaidi had arrived in the Jordanian capital at the head of a high-level delegation, on an official visit aimed at discussing bilateral cooperation and regional developments, according to what was announced by government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi, who indicated that the visit would witness the signing of memoranda of understanding for joint economic and development programs.

Al-Zaidi is scheduled to visit Lebanon and Syria this week, according to a source for Shafaq News Agency. He previously visited the Saudi capital, Riyadh, last Wednesday, as part of an official tour that also included Kuwait.

Shafaq.com

The Kurdistan negotiating delegation and decision-making centers meet in Erbil to discuss the 2027 budget.

On Monday, the Kurdistan Region’s negotiating delegation with Baghdad held a meeting in Erbil, attended by a number of economic experts and decision-makers in the region’s political and governmental center, to discuss the ongoing negotiations regarding the Kurds’ share in Iraq’s 2027 budget. Iraqeconomic update

Adnan Othman, head of the Vision Foundation for Strategic Studies, told Shafaq News Agency that the purpose of this meeting was to assess the results of the efforts made by the region’s negotiating delegation regarding Kurdistan’s share in the 2027 budget, with the participation of political parties and decision-making and governing centers in the region, to review their observations and directives to the negotiating delegation.

Othman pointed out that, based on what the negotiating delegation presented during its visits to Baghdad and its discussions with political and governmental centers in Iraq, although there is a “more open mind” in Baghdad and a greater understanding of the constitutional and legal rights of the region, risks still exist regarding the legal and financial entitlements of Kurdistan.

He added that this step requires Kurdish political support, which is embodied in unity and cohesion among the Kurdish political forces.

Othman explained that they are closely monitoring the impact of the unity steps in Iraq on the gains of the region, especially in the 2027 budget, which is the first budget project that the current Iraqi government is working on, stressing that the final decision will be the decision of the political and governmental center in the Kurdistan Region.

Shafaq.com

One billion dollars in cash is on its way to Iraq… Government moves to strengthen the dinar and reduce demand for hard currency.

Mahmoud Dagher, advisor to the governor of the Central Bank and spokesman for the bank, confirmed on Saturday that the Prime Minister’s actions contributed to convincing the US Federal Reserve to ensure the smooth flow of cash dollars into Iraq.

Dagher said in press statements that increasing cash dollar shipments would enhance the stability of the local market and reduce informal demand for the currency, noting that the value of a single shipment currently reaches about $500 million.

He added that forecasts indicate the arrival of new shipments of cash dollars that may amount to $1 billion, indicating that increasing the cash supply of foreign currency will contribute to strengthening the value of the Iraqi dinar and supporting the stability of the exchange market.

Burathanews.com