126,000 solar panels arrive in southern Iraq to support the electricity grid.

Iraqi Electricity Minister Ziyad Ali Fadhil announced on Thursday the arrival of more than 126,000 high-efficiency solar panels to the site of the “Shams Basra” solar energy project in the Artawi field, which is being implemented by the French company Total with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts.

The minister said in a statement from his media office, received by Shafaq News Agency, that “the Shams Basra project is one of the largest renewable energy projects currently being implemented in Iraq, and it will contribute to meeting the growing demand for energy, especially during peak times.”

About 160 containers of imported solar panels from top global manufacturers arrived yesterday, in addition to 18 containers containing high- and medium-voltage cables needed for the electrical grid.

The minister explained, “Basra possesses the potential for diversifying its energy sources and electricity infrastructure, thanks to the efforts we have made over the past period, which have contributed to modernizing the province’s energy sector.”

According to the ministry, the “Shams Basra” project will provide clean energy to the electricity grid in Basra Governorate, enhance its stability, and open new horizons for investment in the renewable energy sector in Iraq.

Shafaq.com

The Iraqi dinar strengthens as the Baghdad and Kurdistan stock exchanges close.

The markets of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, and Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, witnessed a decline in the exchange rate of the US dollar against the Iraqi dinar with the closing of the stock exchange on Thursday evening.

Shafaq News Agency correspondent reported that the dollar exchange rate fell on the Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya stock exchanges in Baghdad, recording 144,600 dinars for every $100, after it was 145,200 dinars this morning.

Exchange rates also fell in Baghdad’s local markets, with the selling price reaching 145,500 dinars for $100, and the buying price reaching 143,500 dinars.

In Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, stock exchanges recorded a similar decline, with the selling price reaching 145,200 dinars per $100 and the buying price reaching 145,100 dinars per $100.

Shafaq.com

Ministry of Oil: New marine pipeline connects 3 strategic export ports

The Ministry of Oil announced on Wednesday details of the third marine pipeline project, confirming that the project will enhance the export capacity of crude oil from the southern region, with a design capacity of 2 million and 400 thousand barrels per day, by linking three strategic outlets. The Director General of the Basra Oil Company, Basem Abdul Karim, told the official agency that “the third marine pipeline project for exporting oil is one of the strategic projects to which the government has attached great importance,” indicating that “the project will enhance export capacity from the south and contribute to increasing it significantly.”

He added, “The project consists of a 48-knot diameter offshore pipeline, extending 61 kilometers offshore and 9 kilometers onshore.” He noted that “the pipeline connects three offshore platforms: the first for valves near the Basra oil port, the second near the Khor al-Amaya port, in addition to an SPM-4 export platform.”

Abdul Karim also explained that “the project also includes vital support projects, including the marine terminal, which includes communications systems, electricity, and electrical control and communications systems.”

He explained that “a coalition of the Italian company Mycoperi and the Turkish company Ista was chosen to implement the project after a technical, commercial and financial evaluation of four companies applying, and under the supervision of the Japanese consultant accredited for the project.”

He pointed out that “the two companies submitted a comprehensive technical and commercial proposal for the construction of the pipeline and all its systems. The project was referred by the subcommittees of the Basra Oil Company, then through the central committee at the Ministry of Oil and the Ministerial Energy Committee, and finally to the Council of Ministers, which officially approved its transfer to the Italian-Turkish coalition.”

He also stressed that “the project connects three main ports: Basra Oil Port, Khor Al-Amaya Port, and the SPM-4 export platform, with a design capacity of approximately 2.4 million barrels per day.”

He concluded by saying, “The project will be implemented over a two-year period, while initial operations of the Basra section will begin within 8 to 9 months, a period included within the project’s full timeframe.”

Burathanews.com

Oman expresses its readiness to cooperate with Iraq in the fields of ports and airports.

Shafaq News / Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani discussed on Thursday with the Omani Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Said bin Hamoud al-Maawali, developing cooperation in various fields. The latter expressed his country’s readiness to do so, especially in the ports and airports sectors.

This came during Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s reception of the Omani minister in Baghdad. Al-Sudani welcomed al-Maawali and extended his greetings to the Sultan of Oman.

Al-Sudani pointed out, according to a statement from his media office received by Shafaq News Agency, the progress and advancement of the development, labor, and investment sectors in Iraq, including the telecommunications sector, thanks to the political, security, and social stability and the economic renaissance witnessed by the country. He stressed that the many commonalities between Iraq and the Sultanate of Oman represent an opportunity to develop economic and investment cooperation between the two countries.

For his part, Al-Maawali commended Iraq’s achievements on various fronts and reviewed the results of his discussions in Baghdad, affirming the readiness of his country’s public and private sectors to cooperate with Iraq in the field of the digital economy and digital government. He also expressed his country’s willingness to cooperate in the ports and airports sectors by investing in projects related to various Iraqi airports.

Shafaq.com

Experts: The US has moved a third of its naval forces to the Middle East in preparation for a major war.

Shafaq News / Satellite images revealed that the United States has moved a third of its naval forces to the Middle East, appearing to be preparing for a major war if negotiations with Iran over the nuclear issue fail.

Erem News reported that, according to satellite images from specialized websites, the aircraft carrier CVN-70 Carl Vinson was spotted, along with a number of other warships from the Carrier Strike Group 1 (CSG-1).

At the same time, the guided-missile cruiser CG-59 Princeton and two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, believed to be DDG-104 Sterett and DDG-108 Wayne E. Meyer, were observed patrolling off the coast of Oman.

The destroyer DDG-108 Wayne E. Meyer departed its home port of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as part of Carrier Strike Group 11 (CSG-11) alongside the aircraft carrier CVN-68 Nimitz, which is currently operating in the Pacific Ocean.

The Pentagon had previously announced the deployment of three US aircraft carriers to the Middle East: the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68), the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), and the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73).

Aircraft carriers are powerful and advanced military units and an important strategic asset for the US Navy, tasked with carrying out military missions in various countries around the world.

The US Naval Institute confirmed that the number of military vessels deployed by the US in the Middle East and Indian Ocean region has reached approximately 96, representing one-third of the total US naval force.

According to previous statements made by military sources to “Erem News,” the large mobilization of this number of naval vessels stems from strategic and geopolitical reasons that have contributed to the US increasing its naval presence in the Middle East.

Military sources confirmed that the mobilization of a third of the US Navy in the Middle East, as witnessed in recent days, is not related to minor tensions or limited conflict. Rather, these sources believe that the United States and Israel are preparing for a major war.

It is noteworthy that the US naval buildup in the Middle East in recent days has been accompanied by the deployment of approximately one-third of the US B-2 bomber fleet, a quarter of the B-52 fleet, and a tenth of the B-1 fleet to its military bases in the region.

Shafaq.com

New and fortified… The United States begins building trenches for its forces at Ain al-Asad base.

Al-Maalouma /Anbar… A security source in Anbar province revealed, on Thursday, that US forces have begun the process of constructing fortified trenches for their forces inside the Al-Assad base building, west of Anbar.

The source said in a statement to Al-Maalouma agency, “The US forces stationed inside the Ain Al-Assad base building in the Al-Baghdadi area of ​​the Hit district, west of Anbar, began the process of constructing fortified trenches for their forces, coinciding with the landing of a plane carrying US soldiers.”

The source added that “the US forces also began constructing new buildings for their forces to sleep in, in addition to deploying 80 CIRAM defense systems around the base building,” indicating that “the US forces have installed dozens of watchtowers around the building as part of measures that suggest the presence of a military operation, the details of which have not been determined.”

He explained that “the US forces have deployed ground forces at the entrances leading to the base building.”

The source concluded by saying, “Senior US military officials and officers visited Ain al-Assad base unannounced.”

Almaalomah.me

Iraqi government banks suspend loans and advances

Shafaq News / An informed source stated on Thursday that some government banks, including Rafidain Bank, have suspended granting loans and financial advances to citizens.

The source told Shafaq News Agency, “Some government banks, particularly Rafidain Bank, have stopped granting loans and advances so far, despite the passage of five months of the current fiscal year. Others have issued loans and advances, but on a very limited basis.”

He added, “The main reason behind banks’ failure to perform their credit role, including granting loans and advances, is the lack of financial allocations.”

The source also pointed out that “many citizens have called on Parliament, the Finance Committee, and the government to intervene to release loans, advances, construction loans, and home purchase loans.”

Both Rafidain and Rashid Banks provided loans and advances to employees and citizens for various purposes, such as construction, land purchases, car purchases, and other purposes, at a specific interest rate and for a predetermined period.

Shafaq.com

Al-Sudani announces his candidacy in the upcoming elections.

Al-Maalouma / Baghdad… Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced today, Wednesday, his candidacy in the upcoming legislative elections scheduled for next November.

During his speech at the Ninth Sulaymaniyah Forum, followed by Al-Maalouma Agency, Al-Sudani said, “The Popular Mobilization Forces are an essential part of the security system,” noting that “Iraq is witnessing great security stability.”

He added, “All security operations in Iraq are carried out by our security forces,” noting that “Iraq today is not the same as it was in 2014.” Al-Sudani pointed out that “the relationship between Baghdad and Erbil has moved to a technical and legal dialogue, and this is for the first time.”

Almaalomah.me

Al-Hassan: Iraq no longer needs a UN mission, and the next phase requires a new reality.

Shafaq News / The Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Iraq, Mohammed al-Hassan, confirmed on Wednesday that Iraq is witnessing a qualitative shift in its political and security situation, which no longer requires the continued work of the United Nations Mission in Iraq (UNMIS). He called for preserving the gains achieved over the past years and building on them towards a more stable future.

During his speech at the Ninth Sulaymaniyah Forum, which was documented by Shafaq News Agency, Al-Hassan said, “Iraq has reached a stage where it no longer needs the United Nations mission, which is a clear indication of the improvement of the situation in the country, especially with regard to security and political aspects.”

He added, “The country is approaching a significant constitutional deadline, namely elections, and the United Nations continues to support this process to ensure fair and transparent elections and strengthen the path of development and reform.”

Al-Hassan stressed that “Iraq’s stability represents a fundamental pillar for the stability of the entire Middle East,” noting that “the region has suffered for four centuries from foreign occupations and interventions, and it is time for its people to enjoy security and stability.”

He continued: “A few years ago, scenes of the killing of children in Iraq and Gaza were unfolding before the eyes of the international community, alongside crimes committed by extremist groups against religious and ethnic groups, including the sale of Yazidi women as commodities, which is completely unacceptable.”

Al-Hassan concluded his remarks by calling for “consolidated regional and international efforts to unleash a new reality in the region, one marked by stability, peace, and human dignity.”

Shafaq.com

Nechirvan Barzani calls on Al-Sudani to activate the Article 140 Committee and thanks him for his efforts regarding Halabja.

Shafaq News / Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani called on Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Wednesday to activate Article 140 of the Constitution regarding the disputed areas between Erbil and Baghdad, while praising his role in establishing Halabja Governorate.

In a speech delivered at the ninth Sulaymaniyah Forum, Nechirvan Barzani said, “In the Kurdistan Region, regarding our relations with the federal government in Baghdad, we affirm our unwavering commitment to the Iraqi constitution as a framework for regulating this relationship. We believe that the constitution, with its principles of federalism, pluralism, and partnership, is the true guarantor of the rights of all components of Iraq without discrimination.”

He added, “The recent period has witnessed remarkable progress in resolving the issues between Erbil and Baghdad, thanks to the commendable efforts of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, which deserve our appreciation.” He added, “Al-Sudani’s vision of strengthening commonalities and reducing differences is the correct vision for a solution, and I emphasize here the urgent implementation of the property restitution law and the activation of the committee to implement Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution.”

Nechirvan Barzani stressed that “we will continue constructive dialogue with the federal government to reach permanent solutions to all problems in a way that serves the interests of Iraq, with all its components, and guarantees and secures the constitutional rights and entitlements of all.”

He stressed that “the Kurdistan Parliament must be activated in light of the current circumstances and challenges in the region. Therefore, the primary task of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, and the winning parties in the Kurdistan Parliament elections is to expedite the formation of the new government cabinet for the Kurdistan Region, and for it to be a government that responds to the aspirations of the citizens and is capable of dealing appropriately with developments and challenges.”

Shafaq.com