Al-Zaydi’s office: Disarmament in Sinjar is the exclusive responsibility of the federal authorities, and we have taken control of the mountain sites.

A spokesman for the Iraqi armed forces confirmed on Wednesday that the integration and organization of the Sinjar Protection Units falls within its exclusive jurisdiction, tasks, and duties, noting that its positions in the Sinjar Mountains have been handed over to Iraqi army units and other formations of the armed forces. Iraqeconomic update

On Tuesday evening, the Ministry of Interior of the Kurdistan Regional Government announced that it was following with “concern” the understandings being made by the federal government regarding the situation in Sinjar, unilaterally and without consultation with the regional government.

The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, Sabah al-Nu’man, said in a statement issued today and received by Shafaq News Agency that the relevant committees are continuing their efforts to complete the project of restricting weapons to the state, based on the directives of the Prime Minister, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ali Falih al-Zaidi.

He added that the security measures implemented in the Sinjar region are field and military measures that are entirely under the authority of the federal government, noting that the handover of sites to army units and other formations of the armed forces is carried out according to tasks and jurisdiction, given that this file is one of the exclusive duties of the government and federal security leaders.

Al-Nu’man explained that the federal government, in continuous coordination with the local government in Sinjar district, is working on reconstruction files, compensating the families of the victims, accelerating the return of displaced persons to their homes and ending their suffering in displacement camps, leading to the election of a local government for the district in accordance with the law, which enjoys the satisfaction and approval of the people of Sinjar, and represents them in their local affairs.

He stressed that the government and the armed forces are putting all their security and administrative capabilities at the service of the people, explaining that empowering the Iraqi army and the rest of the armed forces formations and imposing full control, including taking over the areas of Mount Sinjar, represents the basic pillar for extending the authority of the state and the law and achieving sovereignty in all its aspects in the Sinjar district.

He pointed to the complete openness to addressing the challenges and problems regarding the mechanisms for restricting weapons and containing security elements, in accordance with what is dictated by the supreme national interest and the applicable laws.

Last Monday, the Iraqi Security Media Cell announced the start of the process of integrating the Sinjar Resistance Forces (YBS) with the security forces and taking over areas in Mount Sinjar.

Shafaq.com

Parliamentary Finance Committee: Pension salary deficit reaches 360 billion dinars and is increasing monthly

On Wednesday, Hussein Al-Daraji, a member of the parliamentary finance committee, revealed that there is a deficit in pension salaries amounting to 360 billion dinars, noting that it is increasing monthly.

Al-Daraji told Shafaq News Agency that the Finance Committee in the House of Representatives hosted, on Tuesday, the Director General of the National Retirement Authority to discuss the general and financial situation in the Authority, and it became clear through this hosting that there is a deficit in retirement salaries amounting to 360 billion dinars and increasing monthly.

He added that the number of retirees is about 3 million in Iraq, including 1.81 million civilian retirees and 1.221 million military retirees.

He explained that the rate of employees referred to retirement ranges between 7,500 and 8,500 employees per month, indicating that the Ministry of Finance supports maintaining the referral of employees to retirement when they reach the age of sixty, without changing this procedure.

The salary file in Iraq is suffering from financial pressures, as the past months have witnessed delays in the disbursement of salaries to government employees and retirees due to a lack of financial liquidity and a decline in revenues.

Iraq’s public finances are facing a growing gap between revenues and expenditures, as government data showed that the deficit between state revenues and expenditures reached about 30.4 trillion dinars during the first eight months of 2026.

Shafaq.com

A new operations room is being established in preparation for taking over the security file in the governorates.

On Tuesday, Ali Nahir, a member of the Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee, revealed that the House of Representatives held a dialogue session during which it hosted police leaders in all governorates not affiliated with the Kurdistan Region, to discuss security files and mechanisms for dealing with them.

Nahir told Shafaq News Agency that the Parliamentary Security and Defense Committee continues to support police commanders in order to establish security and stability, expressing his belief that the current police commanders are among the best commanders in the Ministry of Interior.

He added that the session discussed mechanisms for taking over the security file in the governorates, in coordination with the Popular Mobilization Forces, the Intelligence Service, Military Intelligence, and the National Security Service, with the aim of forming an operations room before taking over the file, and reviewing data on citizens, areas, and their management mechanisms, especially in areas adjacent to the Syrian border.

Nahir noted that the session also addressed the issue of drugs, ways to enhance security and stability, as well as discussing mechanisms for humane treatment of some demonstrators.

In the middle of this year, the senior undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, Hussein Al-Awadi, announced that the ministry had developed concrete plans to take over the internal security file in Nineveh Governorate.

Al-Awadi praised the level of coordination and cooperation between the local government and the ministry, stressing that this integration positively impacts the strengthening of stability and the protection of security gains.

Al-Awadi explained that the Ministry of Interior has already taken over the security file in six governorates in addition to the city of Samarra, indicating that there is a well-thought-out plan to gradually transfer security responsibility in the remaining governorates in coordination with the Ministry of Defense, with Nineveh at the forefront soon.

Shafaq.com

Al-Dulaimi: The government withdrew the Popular Mobilization Forces law under American pressure before referring it to parliament.

On Monday, Mohammed al-Dulaimi, a leader in the Anbar Alliance, revealed that the central government withdrew the Popular Mobilization Forces Law before it was presented to the House of Representatives for ratification of its clauses, following American pressure, and postponed the voting process indefinitely.

Al-Dulaimi told Al-Maalouma News Agency that “pressures exerted by the Trump administration on influential political figures in the central government led to the withdrawal of the Popular Mobilization Forces Law, which was expected to be presented to Parliament for a vote on approving the law during the next session after it had obtained near-parliamentary consensus to pass it.”

He added that “the withdrawal of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) law came amidst surprise and disapproval from a large number of MPs who demanded that Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zubaidi be summoned to Parliament to provide further details about the withdrawal of the PMF law and to publicly reveal the party behind obstructing its passage.” He affirmed that “there is a parliamentary movement underway to counter American pressure and pass the law during the current session.”

Almaalomah.me

Al-Moussawi: The extension of the legislative session was intended to finalize the vote on all budget items.

Member of Parliament Jassim al-Moussawi confirmed on Tuesday that the decision to extend the parliamentary session was aimed at completing the voting on all articles and clauses of the federal budget law. He pointed out that the current stage requires a swift resolution of this issue to address the outstanding needs of citizens.

Al-Moussawi told the Information Agency, “The budget is of paramount importance at this stage, given the numerous financial and service-related obligations awaiting approval.” He explained that “many matters and projects remain stalled and contingent upon the passage of the budget law.”

He added that “Parliament extended its current legislative session to intensify efforts and utilize the available time to finalize all discussions and resolve all disagreements.”
He emphasized that “Parliament is committed to completing the voting process on all budget clauses definitively during this session without further delay.”

Almaalomah.me

Al-Zaydi directs the acceleration of the completion of the basic designs for the new cities.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi directed that the basic designs for the new cities scheduled to be launched be completed quickly.

The Prime Minister’s Media Office stated, as reported by Shafaq News Agency, that Al-Zaydi chaired a meeting dedicated to following up on the procedures for implementing the new cities in Baghdad and the governorates, in the presence of the Deputy Prime Minister for Services Affairs, the Head of the Advisory Board in the Prime Minister’s Office, and a number of advisors and directors general.

Al-Zaydi directed that the basic designs for the new cities scheduled to be launched be completed quickly, after the necessary land allocation is finalized, stressing that they will form integrated urban centers that include government institutions, commercial and economic centers, entertainment facilities and residential complexes with large areas, which will contribute to improving the service and administrative reality.

The Prime Minister was briefed on the steps and procedures taken by the relevant committees to prepare the basic designs and their details, and to follow up on the requirements for implementing these cities, in order to ensure that radical and sustainable solutions are put in place for the problems of services and infrastructure.

Shafaq.com

Integrity Commission: 8-year prison sentence for the Director General of the Oil Products Distribution Company and ordering him to repay 55 billion dinars

The Federal Integrity Commission announced on Tuesday that a verdict was issued in absentia sentencing Hussein Talib, the Director General of the Oil Products Distribution Company, to eight years in prison for benefiting from contracts and agreements in the Northern Refineries Company, and obligating him to return the amount of benefit, which is (55) billion dinars.

The commission reported, in its discussion of the case it investigated and referred to the judiciary, that the Anti-Corruption Criminal Court issued a judgment in absentia sentencing the Director General of the Oil Products Distribution Company to eight years in prison and obligating him to return (55) billion dinars.

She explained that the convicted person interfered in the referral and disbursement of amounts of (40) contracts and (29) purchase orders, amounting to (181) billion dinars, to companies related to him, exploiting his connection to financing refinery companies by virtue of his position, noting that he achieved a benefit for himself amounting to (30) billion dinars, and for others (35) billion dinars.

The commission added that the court, after reviewing the evidence and proofs obtained in the case, became fully convinced of the defendant’s guilt, and issued its verdict in his presence, sentencing him to imprisonment and obligating him to return (55) billion dinars, in accordance with the requirements of Article (319) of the Penal Code.

A security force had arrested a student in Baghdad at the beginning of July, hours before he was scheduled to be sworn in as a replacement member of the Iraqi parliament.

The arrest of Hussein Taleb came as part of a wave of security and judicial measures related to the anti-corruption campaign launched by the government of Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi, which included current and former officials and figures linked to financial and administrative files in state institutions.

The Oil Products Distribution Company is one of the companies affiliated with the Ministry of Oil, and it manages the file of supplying fuel and oil derivatives to the governorates, and supervises the distribution networks and filling stations.

Shafaq.com

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