AGP Executive Report

Coalition Exit & Sovereignty: Iraq expects the US-led coalition’s mission to end on Sept. 30, with Baghdad pushing to speed up bringing armed factions’ weapons under state control and stressing no Iraqi territory will be used to target other countries. Security & Governance: The Iraqi government says air-defense upgrades are a priority, with systems from South Korea, Türkiye and the US expected soon, while officials warn against sectarian rhetoric and rumor-mongering. Kurdistan Budget Talks: Erbil pressed Baghdad for a fair constitutional share of the 2027 federal budget, including oil revenues, investment funds and international financing, during meetings in Baghdad. KRG Electricity Relief: More than 750,000 electricity beneficiaries in the Kurdistan Region used the e-Psule system to claim a 50% discount on legacy debts, with the deadline set for Sept. 10. Cabinet Deadlock: Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi’s remaining ministerial appointments are likely to be finalized after his mid-September trip to Europe, as disputes still hold up Defense, Interior and other portfolios. Legal/Markets: A Najaf butcher was arrested over alleged wild-boar meat sold as minced meat; legal experts say Iraqi law lacks an explicit pork ban but fraud and unsafe-food rules apply. Culture: Iraq’s “Jidariyat Matar (Mural of Rain)” won Best Screenplay at a short-film festival in Alexandria, produced by the Political Prisoners Foundation.

Digital Economy Push: Iraq’s Ministry of Agriculture is studying a digital platform to connect farmers directly with local and international markets, aiming for real-time prices, fairer returns, safer payments, and better delivery guarantees. Energy Sector Modernization: Iraq’s General Company for Gas Filling and Services in Baghdad has launched two new operations centres and an electronic gas movement tracking system, including a Security Operations Centre and a Technology Operations Centre, as part of the Ministry of Oil’s digital drive. Jobs and Rights Agenda: Iraq signed a four-year “Decent Work” programme (2026-2029) with trade unions, industry groups, and the ILO, focusing on skills, inclusive employment, economic diversification, and stronger workers’ rights and social protection. Oil and Security Context: Regional tensions tied to the Iran conflict continue to ripple through Gulf shipping and oil flows, with analysts warning Iran is targeting US naval forces and commercial vessels to pressure blockade enforcement and disrupt maritime routes.

Militia Disarmament Deadline: Iraqi PM Ali al-Zaidi faces a credibility test after pledging to disarm Iran-backed Shi’ite militias by Sept. 30, the same date tied to the remaining US-led coalition withdrawal—yet Iran’s proxies have repeatedly resisted past commitments, raising fears of renewed friction with Washington. US-Iran Sea Escalation: The Gulf conflict is intensifying as US and IRGC forces trade strikes on warships and oil tankers, reviving “Tanker War” risks for shipping and energy markets. Fuel Crisis in Mosul: Security forces dispersed truck drivers protesting fuel shortages near the Al-Shamsiyat checkpoint, while Diyala’s offices report power cuts and generator-fuel strain linked to disrupted shipments. Iraq-Iran Trade Push: Iraq and Iran trade could reach $20B annually if banking and procedural barriers ease, with Iraq already topping $10B in 2025. Displacement Pressure: IOM says over one million Iraqis remain internally displaced and need housing, documents, and services, as climate and water scarcity add new mobility pressures. Kurdistan Border Security: Iraq and KRG agreed a 17-point security plan, including reviewing border crossings and targeting smugglers and terrorist remnants. Shengal Rejection: Yazidis in Shengal marched against plans for a military administrator, insisting decisions must follow local constitutional authority. Oil Revenue Squeeze: A petroleum economist warns Tehran’s Hormuz transit tolls may take nearly a third of Iraq’s oil earnings, amid US sanctions concerns. Basra Prison Health: Human rights monitors urged a full disinfection campaign at overcrowded Basra Central Prison as illnesses rise. Legal Framework for Syria Transfers: Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council set a unified process for foreign detainees and convicts transferred from Syria, moving cases toward trial under Iraqi law and reciprocity.

Iraq’s AI push: The Iraqi National Security Service launched an “Distinguish the Fake” AI detection platform in Erbil to help citizens spot fabricated images, doctored videos, and dubbed audio amid rising digital misinformation. Media crackdown: Iraq’s Communications and Media Commission warned political analyst Abdullah al-Khuraybit and extended a ban on analyst Auras al-Hamad al-Mashhadani, warning outlets that host him will face legal responsibility. Baghdad-Tehran coordination: Iraqi authorities took custody of Iraq Al-Hadath director Bilal al-Maliki at Najaf airport after Iran detained him at Baghdad’s request, with questioning planned in Baghdad. Regional security spillover: In Semnan, Iran, Iraqi students reported repeated dormitory attacks and street assaults, prompting a month-long emergency break while Iranian authorities investigate. Energy and economy: Iraq said oil exports have rebounded to above 3 million bpd as it works to restore routes and expand refining, while projects were approved to add about 140,000 bpd to Diwaniyah and Maysan refineries. Tourism drive: Iraq’s tourism and antiquities officials renewed calls for a national strategy to turn heritage sites into a stronger economic engine, citing gaps in infrastructure and services.

Gold Reserves: Iraq stayed 28th globally among gold holders after adding one tonne to reach 175.6 tonnes, with gold now about 24.8% of total reserves. US Withdrawal Timeline: Ammar al-Hakim said the US-led coalition withdrawal will start as scheduled in late September, calling it a sign of Iraqi recovery. Media Detention: Iran detained the owner of Iraq Al-Hadath TV in Mashhad at Baghdad’s request, with authorities coordinating his return for legal proceedings. Fuel and Food Pressure: Wasit farmers protested diesel price hikes and delayed crop payments, while Baghdad drivers again queued as gasoline supplies tightened amid regional disruptions. Finance Ministry Shake-up: Iraq’s Finance Ministry ordered administrative changes, including leadership reshuffles tied to stalled personnel moves. Hate Speech Crackdown: A military-linked committee will monitor sectarian and ethnic incitement, with courts set to decide legal action. Healthcare Funding Gap: The Health Ministry says it needs $6.84B to cover debts, contracts, and medicines. Regional Security Talks: Erbil and Baghdad discussed counternarcotics cooperation with UNODC. Turkey-Iraq Cooperation: Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş pushed for faster rollout of the Development Road Project and said PKK disarmament and weapon surrender to Iraq’s central government will begin in October. Oilfield Labor Tension: West Qurna-2 staff in Basra threatened a strike over contract regularization and overdue wages, warning of production and export disruption. Airspace Status: Iraq ruled out closing national airspace and said it activated alternate international routes and new destinations.

Strait of Hormuz Debate: Qatar’s foreign ministry adviser Majed Al Ansari said Hormuz will stay vital for global trade, pushing back on US Treasury claims it could become “worthless” in two years as Gulf states expand land pipelines and trucking. Iraq–Turkey Energy Deal: Iraq and Turkey agreed on a joint oil refinery in Ceyhan under a renewed pipeline framework, aiming to boost refined exports to Europe. Northern Exports Update: Kirkuk and KRI crude exports via the Iraq–Turkey route held around 220,000 bpd, offering an alternative as Hormuz disruptions bite. Baghdad Housing Crackdown: Baghdad’s municipality faces calls to pause demolition/removal of homes built on agricultural land, with officials warning against clearing orchards and unplanned urban sprawl. Jobs for Graduates: PM Ali al-Zaidi ordered permanent and contract hiring for long-waiting graduates through the federal budget, amid ongoing protests. Security & Crime: Iraqi forces detained a suspected drug network leader in Babil after clashes, seizing drugs and weapons. Kurdistan Budget Talks: KRG finance officials are in Baghdad to negotiate the 2027 federal budget share. Environment Watch: Aynda warned air pollution in Iraq and the KRI is worsening, citing unregulated refineries, vehicle emissions, generators, and waste burning. IS Detention Transfers: Turkey repatriated 184 nationals from Iraq prisons, including key fugitives tied to IS networks.

Jerusalem File: The Arab Ministerial Committee, chaired by Jordan with Iraq among members, condemned “unprecedented” Israeli escalation at Al-Aqsa and urged intensified international pressure to preserve Jerusalem’s historical and legal status quo. Kurdistan Under Fire: Iran carried out drone attacks on Kurdish Iranian opposition camps in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, including the Komala camp in Surdash near Sulaymaniyah, with reports of fires but no casualties. Iraq Courts & Land: Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court upheld Nineveh Provincial Council’s decision lifting construction restrictions in Qaza Fakhra and Jliyokhan on the Nineveh Plains, ending years of limits affecting families and property owners. Arms Monopoly Push: Iraq’s top judiciary chief, Judge Faiq Zidan, met the newly appointed U.S. chargé d’affaires, Stephen Fagin, to back Iraq’s plan to restrict arms possession to state authorities. Health Watch: Erbil’s Nanakali Hospital says it records 1,500–1,800 new cancer cases annually and treats up to 400 patients a day, citing support for rare medications. Finance & Governance: The Central Bank reassured depositors that most banking deposits are guaranteed, while a report said political pressure is blocking administrative changes at the Finance Ministry. Regional Diplomacy: Egypt and Iraq’s foreign ministers called for dialogue to reduce polarization and conflict across the Middle East, including coordination on regional security. Air Defense Upgrade: Iraq set a three-year plan to modernize air defenses as drone and missile strikes continue.

U.S.-Iraq Security Reset: Iraq says the international coalition will withdraw defense systems and remaining troops by Sept. 30, with October 1 framed as full sovereignty—while Baghdad and the Shiite Coordination Framework still wrestle over what happens to weapons held by armed factions. Armed Factions vs. Deadlines: A source close to the Coordination Framework says factions will not hand over weapons by Sept. 30, pushing talks toward regulating or freezing arsenals instead, with a meeting expected soon involving government, security officials, PMF, and faction representatives. Kirkuk Tension: An unidentified force abducted a Kirkuk Oil Products Distribution Company official from a fuel station, with no explanation offered. Anti-Corruption Drive: Iraq’s Federal Integrity Commission issued 191 arrest warrants in August, including 27 for high-ranking officials, as the crackdown continues. Dhi Qar Bribery Case: The accounts director of the Dhi Qar provincial administration was arrested over an alleged 10-million-dinar bribe. Oil Market Watch: OPEC+ kept October output unchanged amid Iran-war uncertainty, as Iraq’s oil export capacity moves higher. Heritage Restoration: Iraq has started restoring the 3,400-year-old Aqarquf Ziggurat temples west of Baghdad with an Italian archaeological delegation.

PMF Legislation Push: Iraq’s government plans to refer draft laws on the Popular Mobilization Forces to parliament within weeks, including PMF restructuring and service/retirement bills after provisions tied to U.S. objections were removed. U.S.-Iraq Security Reset: The United States will complete its troop withdrawal from Iraq’s Kurdistan Region by September 30, ending a presence tied to the anti-ISIS mission. Iran War Pressure on Iraq’s Economy: As U.S.-Iran strikes continue, Iraq’s oil minister says exports have rebounded to over 3 million bpd since early September, with plans to reach 5 million bpd via strategic pipelines and terminals. Oil Sector Politics at Home: Petroleum institute graduates protested outside Iraq’s Oil Ministry and in Basra demanding jobs; separately, depositors protested Al-Taif Islamic Bank after the CBI placed it under guardianship and suspended withdrawals. Local Governance & Social Rules: Diyala’s provincial council urged stricter enforcement of a ban on liquor shops in residential neighborhoods, after complaints about licensing practices. Judicial Crackdown on Sectarian Speech: Iraq’s Supreme Judicial Council ordered courts and prosecutors to pursue legal action against sectarian incitement in media and on social platforms.

Oil & Trade Diversification: Iraq says crude exports have topped 3M bpd and aims for 5M by completing new pipeline routes linking Basra-Haditha-Fishkhabur and Haditha-Banias to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz. Kurdistan Infrastructure: The KRG reports the Erbil–Soran corridor road (Korre-Shaqlawa-Qandil) is 70% complete, with an October opening and major travel-time cuts. Kirkuk Security: A leadership change is expected at the Kirkuk Operations Command, with Lt. Gen. Ali Fadel Al-Mafraji nominated to replace Maj. Gen. Maad Badai Al-Daraji. ISIS Detention File: Iraq says it has finished investigating about 5,700 ISIS detainees transferred from Syria, with cases set to proceed to trial and some releases planned. Fuel Crisis & Daily Life: Baghdad and other provinces report renewed gasoline queues as regional conflict disrupts imports, despite Iraq’s large oil production. Anti-Corruption: Five staff tied to the Al-Hussein Teaching Hospital renovation in Al-Muthanna were arrested over alleged contract and oversight violations. Housing Push: Basra and Karbala say they’ve completed procedures for 195,000 free residential plots under the Watan Initiative, with registration slated for October. Currency & Online Governance: The CBI denies any US-dollar rate change after social media claims; meanwhile, Iraq warns of tougher penalties for AI accounts posting obscene or culturally “indecent” content.

CBI Reassures Depositors: Iraq’s Central Bank says depositors’ money is safe and that placing Al-Taif Islamic Bank under guardianship is a legal safeguard, not proof of bankruptcy, as regulators scrutinize liquidity and lending at state banks. Integrity Probes State Banks: Iraq’s Federal Integrity Commission and other bodies are investigating liquidity depletion and exceptional loans at Rafidain and Rasheed, including credit facilities above 1 billion dinars and how funds were approved and used. Fuel Crisis in Baghdad: Drivers queue again for gasoline as import disruptions linked to the wider Middle East war hit refinery output, with the oil ministry blaming logistical delays for tanker traffic. Oil Exports Drop 36%: TankerTrackers reports Iraq’s August oil shipments fell 36% versus pre-war levels, while regional shipping activity around Hormuz remains under strain. KRI-Iran Border Talks: An Iranian tourism and road transport delegation visited Kurdistan border crossings to ease traveler movement and improve land-transport procedures, including vehicle entry/exit rules and documentation. Football Violence in Baghdad: Erbil SC condemned attacks by Al-Shorta fans on its supporters and buses after a match, calling for investigations and legal action.

Oil Revenue: Iraq’s Ministry of Oil says August crude exports hit about 70 million barrels, bringing preliminary revenues near $4.5 billion, with average daily exports topping 2 million barrels. Fuel Crisis & Transport: Baghdad is moving ahead with a “Green Taxi” plan for electric taxis as gasoline shortages bite, while the Oil Minister says gasoline shipments are due soon and consumption is closely monitored. Education Funding: Karbala warns it needs 350 new schools as budget delays have stalled projects and left contractors owed roughly 300 billion dinars. Security & Justice: Iraq’s National Intelligence Service says it dismantled a 10-member trafficking network in Baghdad, alleging torture and ransom demands against foreign victims. Regional Politics: Iraq’s wider political debate continues to intersect with the US-Iran standoff, as Washington again downplays the conflict as “not a war,” fueling backlash and raising questions for Iraq-linked operations. Human Impact: A Mosul Eye account highlights how a blogger’s live updates helped civilians escape ISIS during the city’s liberation.

Iraq-US-Iran Fallout: Iraq’s air and road pressures are rising as the wider US-Iran clash spills into the region, with Baghdad’s transport strain on display: around three million cars crowd the capital while the state bus fleet is only about 1,000 buses, held back by a driver shortage ahead of the Sept. 20 school return. Heritage vs Housing: Iraq’s State Board of Antiquities and Heritage denied claims that archaeological sites are being destroyed for housing, saying development can proceed only after excavation, documentation, and clearance under Iraqi law. Oil Ministry Graft Scrutiny: An Iraqi MP pressed the Oil Ministry’s oversight units over alleged corruption tied to Deputy Oil Minister for Refining Adnan Al-Jumaili and detained Oil Products Distribution Company chief Hussein Talib, warning recovered assets won’t fully solve the fiscal crisis. Tishreen Lawsuits: Families of 2019 Tishreen protest victims are preparing court cases after Badr leader Hadi al-Ameri’s remarks, seeking rulings on responsibility. Armed Factions & Disarmament: Nouri al-Maliki joined critics of the government’s arms-to-state-control plan, arguing there should be no weapons handover after Sept. 30. Kadhimiya Religious Education: A Hawza School of Religious Sciences named after Sheikh Kazemi opened in Kadhimiya with support linked to Grand Ayatollah Sistani. Kurdish File: Iraq repatriated a controversial political critic, Zaid Ibrahim Ali, after his detention in Syria.

Iraq’s Security & Courts: Iraq’s National Intelligence Service repatriated from Germany a suspect accused in the 2014 Camp Speicher massacre, while Iraq’s National Security Service detained Kirkuk Customs employees under judicial orders. Anti-ISIS Justice: Eurojust said it helped Slovenia secure its first ISIS membership conviction using evidence obtained from Iraq through a new working arrangement. Economy Under Pressure: A parliamentary finance committee member warned that failure to bring weapons under state control could trigger tougher international pressure and an “economic shutdown,” stressing Iraq’s heavy reliance on oil revenues and access to the financial system. Iraq-Iran War Spillover: As the US-Iran conflict escalated again, Iraq’s vulnerability to Strait of Hormuz disruptions stayed in focus, with oil prices reacting to renewed strikes and threats. Oil Infrastructure Push: Iraq began studies for a proposed 2 million bpd Basra–Haditha pipeline network to diversify exports away from Hormuz. Governance & Services: Iraq moved toward a unified digital customs system across the country including Kurdistan, amid reports of payment disruptions and local market shortages.

Kirkuk Security Case: Baghdad’s Karkh Criminal Court sentenced three men to 15 years each under Iraq’s anti-terror law for firing Katyusha rockets at the K1 base, with the court saying the attack aimed to undermine stability and spread fear. Iraq-Iran Infrastructure: The Basra–Shalamcheh rail link is reported 70% complete, with demining finished on 16 km on the Iranian side and plans for a free-trade zone and industrial center at the border. Kurdistan Court Update: In Sulaimani, the trial of opposition leader Lahur Sheikh Jangi and associates was adjourned after six defendants recanted earlier statements, with the next session expected Sunday. Basra & Al-Anbar Jobs Protests: Science graduates and contract workers escalated sit-ins in Basra and Al-Anbar over unemployment, blocking oil-sector entrances; protesters say security forces assaulted demonstrators and detained some. Regional Spillover: Israel’s defense minister said Israel is ready to respond “with great force” if Iran attacks, as Iran–US tensions continue to ripple across the region. Political Accountability: A video circulating claims Badr chief Hadi al-Amiri admitted militia involvement in the 2019 Tishreen killings, reigniting debate over responsibility for protest deaths.

US-Iran Escalation: The US and Iran traded the heaviest strikes in weeks, with Washington hitting Iranian targets after Tehran’s attacks on shipping and Iran retaliating by striking US bases in Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain and Iraq’s Kurdistan region; Iran also accused the US of a “war crime” after a wedding strike, while Trump said the campaign “won’t last long” and warned more strikes could come “any time we want.” Hormuz Shockwaves: As fighting flared, oil prices jumped and Strait of Hormuz traffic reportedly cratered, while Trump floated renaming it the “Trump Strait,” then downplayed it as a throwaway idea. Iraq Accountability at Home: In Iraq, the Interior Ministry dismissed 38 officers and 180 personnel over corruption during the government’s first 100 days, as the Dawn Crackdown continues. Tishreen Debate Reignites: A lawyer filed a complaint to summon Hadi al-Ameri over remarks on the 2019 Tishreen protests, reviving legal and political pressure around how “resistance” is framed in Iraq’s post-2019 crisis narrative. Regional Diplomacy Signals: Pakistan urged dialogue and said it remains optimistic talks can resume as the Strait of Hormuz remains a central flashpoint. Baghdad Culture: The 27th Baghdad International Book Fair opened with 600+ publishers, with Oman as guest of honor.