Friday, June 4, 2021

WOTS WED JUN 2 21 America and NATO discuss support for the Iraqi government

 WOTS WED JUN 2 21



The dollar exchange rates in the local markets for Wednesday, June 2, 2021, according to the monitoring of specialists.    


Baghdad - Stock Exchange of struggle الكف  


149,500

Price in exchange (approximate)
149,000
150,000  

Basra / Bursa
149,500  

Erbil / Bursa
149,600  

Mosul / Bursa
149,700 




The Markets:

The Asian markets closed mixed NIK up by .46% HSI down by .58% SHANG down by .76%
The UK markets are currently trading in the green from .06% to .41% 
Our futures are currently trading mixed  DOW at 34592 up  by .12% SNP at 198.75 up  by .01% NDX at 13636 down  by .09%

Precious Metals:
Gold is red at 1896 Silver is red  at 27.88 Copper is red at 463 Platinum is red at 1186 
Brent 71 WTI  68   Bitcoin: 37,274 10 yr yield: 1.60


Favorite Currencies Forex Quotes

SymbolBidAskHighLowOpenChangeTime
 USD/IQD  1434.9000  1483.9000 1457.5000 1457.4000 1457.4000  0.2000 11:29
 USD/VND  23040.0000  23043.0000 23031.9900 23028.9800 23028.9800  4.2500 22:39
 USD/CNY  6.3840  6.3860 6.3899 6.3760 6.3805  0.0032 05:22
 USD/KWD  0.3003  0.3013 0.3005 0.3004 0.3005  -0.0002 05:09
 GBP/USD  1.4137  1.4140 1.4163 1.4125 1.4147  -0.0008 05:22
 USD/IRR  42000.0000  42210.0000 42097.5000 42097.5000 42097.5000  0.0000 00:00
 USD/IDR  14296.0000  14298.0000 14303.0000 14243.0000 14252.0000  45.0000 05:21

Things in the News:




Iraqi Articles:

Al-Kazemi's advisor reveals that the construction of five industrial cities will be the nucleus of Iraq's economy

link

The economic advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, considered the five industrial cities being built within five governorates, the nucleus of a promising renaissance for the Iraqi economy. 

 

Saleh said in a statement to the official newspaper, followed by "Nass", (June 2, 2021), that "Iraq is now working on the construction of these industrial cities within five governorates, one for each of Baghdad, Basra and Dhi Qar, in addition to two cities in Najaf Governorate. According to organized rules issued by the sectoral government agency, and he described it as “the nucleus for the renaissance of the renewable civil industrial sector in Iraq, and a solid foundation in the investment economies of the single governorate, and it is also an essential tool in operating the unemployed workforce,” noting that it “needs the support of the provincial administration especially in the field of infrastructure.
 
The Minister of Industry and Minerals, Manhal Al-Khabbaz, said last February that "the five industrial cities, two of them are nearing completion, one of them is in Dhi Qar, as it has completed its infrastructure and will open soon, while the one in Basra has reached 70 percent completion rates and will open after months."
 
Saleh stressed that "the industrial cities are among the priorities of planning and industrial renaissance in the countries of the civilized world, limiting industrial investments to areas that are mostly integrated with each other, far from residential cities, that require availability of physical infrastructure, as one of the positive external economic factors in order to enhance the integration of manufacturing units." and fill each other's needs as industrial inputs and outputs.
 
And he indicated that "the greater the inputs and outputs within the single industrial city, it will make the average production cost to its minimum in most cases, in addition to spreading competition in work, upgrading quality and constantly introducing and improving technology in a manner consistent with the production movement within the single industrial city," noting that "the industrial cities It remains a high and important investment attraction tool, whether for national or foreign investment, as long as the land and infrastructure are available in those cities."

America and NATO discuss support for the Iraqi government

link


US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his NATO counterparts discussed a military withdrawal from Afghanistan and a commitment to defeating ISIS in Iraq.

This came according to what was published by the US Department of Defense on its website today, Wednesday, during a hypothetical preparatory session for the NATO summit scheduled for June 14.

Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said Austin discussed with NATO defense ministers the process of withdrawing from Afghanistan while continuing to support and work alongside the alliance while the Resolute Support mission transitions to civilian-led engagement.

Speaking of Iraq, Austin emphasized the continued US commitment to defeating ISIS and supporting the Iraqi government.

The US Secretary of Defense welcomed NATO's decisions and plans to respond to emerging and evolving challenges from climate change, cyber threats, and hybrid activities.

Austin praised NATO's military adaptation since 2014 and encouraged allies to set an agenda for continued adaptation in the future, stressing that deterrence and defense must remain NATO's primary mission


CBI Update:  Just  a note:

They have been having auctions and the ISX has been trading regularly; the sites just don't update in time to put the information in this report, unless it is 
here.   

Click on the link above for the latest update.

The Central Bank announces the establishment of a course (Strategic Planning in Banking Work) for the period 6/9/6-2021

link

Iraqi Central Bank Announces / Center for Banking Studies for the establishment of a training course for government and private banks all entitled ( strategic planning in the banking business ) for a period of 6 - 2021 / 6 / 9 , as shown in detail below: -
 
1- Target group: All employees whose work is related to the topic of the above course.
2- Duration of training:- (4) days (16) hours, starting from 9:00 in the morning until 1:00 in the evening
3- The method of holding the course: - Remote electronic training via the ZOOM electronic platform .
4- Certificate of Participation: The participant is granted a certificate of participation issued by the Central Bank of Iraq.
5- Language of the course: Arabic language
6- How to register:- The name of the triple candidate, his job position, his email and a phone number that contains WhatsApp .
 
Note that the subscription fees (160,000) dinars (one hundred and sixty thousand dinars) for one participant, we are authorized to deduct it from your account (in dinars) opened with this bank, and in the absence of an account, the payment is made in cash. We kindly ask you to send your nominations to the e-mail of the Center for Banking Studies ( bsc@cbi.iq ),  with the nomination letters sent by official mail and before the start of the cours

The CBI for rate is 1460

The currency auction For June 2nd, 2021 total sales amount $ 196,716,789. 

including   $18,700,000. CASH 

ISX Update:   

www.isx-iq.net/

Shares Traded: not updated for today
Value Traded: not updated for today 

6-1-2021   Intel Guru Holly   I am remaining quiet and allowing the process to unfold. This is our week...

6-1-2021   Intel Guru MarkZ   [via PDK]  [Any lower denomination in Iraq?]  I have been unable to prove or disprove if they are out. I am hearing from people in the markets there that exchange rates are fluctuating for cash dinar…but stay the same for digital dinar.

6-1-2021   Intel Guru Frank26   1460 isn't bad enough?  You want to lower it more to 1553 or 1560?  Kazemi didn't say that.  Mustafa didn't say that.  Idiots said that...only pay attention to the governor of the CBI not the parliament idiots, not some CBI employee...

6-1-2021   Newshound Guru Pimpy   Article:   "Advisor Al-Kazemi reveals that there are 50 Trillion dinars outside the control of the banking system"  I think they've only printed out 55 trillion.  That means they control 9% of their money.  This is not good...it looks like we're heading down that path that we do not want to be in...

6-1-2021   Newshound/Intel Guru Walkingstick  [via Frank26]   They are in meetings now.  Topics about disbursement of new notes, time frame, note count etc...

6-1-2021   Intel Guru MarkZ   [via PDK]  ...we really are sitting at the edge of our seats today.  I am being told they are testing the banking system all across the globe right now…I am told we could be in the banks as early as Friday of this week for appointments. But it is all right now based on progress over the next 24 hours...They are definitely leaning on us not to share any specifics right now.

6-1-2021   Newshound Guru Jeff    Article:  "A proposal to raise the exchange rate of the dollar against the Iraqi dinar again"  ...devaluing the dinar improves the economics for the government of Iraq.  Obviously it hurts the people because the cost of goods and services go up in value but devaluing the dinar definitely helps the federal government.  That's why they're doing it...recent articles from parliament finance committee have come out suggesting that they would like to consider using the current exchange rate for a long period of time.  Roughly three more years...

6-1-2021   Intel Guru Frank26   [Now the World Bank is taking about how Iraq has dropped to a negative 10% GDP.]  What did I tell you about the GDP?  So now the World Bank comes out and starts telling you about the GDP figures.  Why?  Because they're about to give you the new exchange rate.   


Catnip's Corner:
Happy Wednesday!! Here are my "snippets" for Wednesday, June 2. 

Lynn :)
aka catnip

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ARTICLE 1-A (from PM Kadhimi's website; posted only on Arabic side, not on English side; 6 pix)

The Council of Ministers holds its regular session headed by Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi 1-6 - 2021

Today, Tuesday, Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi chaired the twenty-first regular session of the Council of Ministers, during which the latest developments in the country were discussed, and the topics on the agenda were discussed.

At the beginning of the session, Mr. Al-Kazemi referred to the events he witnessed last week, which were dealt with with great wisdom, as there were attempts to drag us into the unknown, but we worked with the principle of preserving the higher interest of the country, and concern for all our people, and we established the logic of the state and law enforcement mechanisms according to the foundations Constitutional

His Excellency also referred to the many challenges that the government faced during its year of life, as it managed to overcome some of them, and is working with high efforts to overcome other challenges.

His Excellency affirmed that this government had the will to take decisions and the courage to take the steps of reform and combating corruption, despite the lack of political support for it and also the lack of effective tools in the ministries that there must be work to develop.

His Excellency directed all ministries to follow up on the implementation of the decisions and directives that they issue, and to monitor those who obstruct those decisions and to go to the field to follow up on their work.

The Prime Minister stressed the seriousness of work to overcome obstacles in front of projects, and the constant search for solutions to all problems, in a way that contributes to the establishment of a correct situation for the country.

The Cabinet session included a review of the Ministry of Health’s report regarding the Corona pandemic and developments in the work of the Committee to Strengthen Government Actions in the Fields of Health Awareness Prevention and Control regarding limiting the spread of the Corona virus, and the efforts of the Ministry of Health in providing vaccines and urging citizens to take them.

In this regard, the Council of Ministers approved the recommendations of the Ministry of Health proven in its book No. 2467 on June 1, 2021, regarding confronting the Corona pandemic, which are as follows:

First / a reference to the letter of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research No. (TM 3/D/3972 on May 22, 2021), which includes their request to resume work in blended education according to the mechanism prepared by them for the remainder of the current school year, for medical, health, engineering and scientific disciplines for subjects For academic studies that require practical, applied or clinical training, our ministry recommends, in addition to Cabinet Resolution No. (158 of 2021), to allow the resumption of work with blended education in accordance with the mechanism prepared by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, for the remainder of the current school year for medical, health, engineering and scientific disciplines of study subjects. that require practical, applied or clinical training, as well as allowing attendance for graduate students in the classrooms three days a week to complete the requirements of the current academic year, provided that:

A- Bringing all students and workers in educational institutions a negative result of a COVID-19 test by PCR weekly, or a vaccination card proving that they have been vaccinated with one of the COVID-19 vaccines, in order to prevent the transmission of the disease among themselves and their families.

B- Taking all preventive measures in institutes, colleges and universities, including:

1- It is obligatory to wear a mask by all the staff of the institute/college and students and to remind them constantly about not touching the face covering (and in the case of touching, the necessity of washing hands or sterilizing in the correct way).

2- Checking the temperature of students upon entering the institute/college, as well as making sure that the student or the educational staff does not have coughing or shortness of breath by the health coordinator or coordination with the health center responsible for school health within the geographical area.

3- Ensuring that the process of students entering and leaving the halls is calm and organized to reduce unnecessary crowding and maintain a distance of at least 1.5-2 meters between one person and another.

4- Commitment to the rules of physical distancing between people, preferably between (1.5-2) meters in halls, squares, corridors and in mass transit vehicles (if any).

5- Avoid hugging, kissing or shaking hands when greeting by all people.

6- Emphasis on covering the mouth and nose during coughing and sneezing with the elbow of the arm, a tissue or a clean tissue, and dispose of it and throw it in the places designated for throwing waste.

7- Emphasis on washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (or using sanitizers) after using health facilities or touching anything in common.

8- The possibility of leaving windows and doors open inside the halls to ensure good ventilation in case the weather conditions are appropriate.

9- Emphasizing the provision of water, soap and sterilizers (containing alcohol at a concentration of at least 60%) in all health facilities within the institute/college.

10- Ensure that students, teaching staff or employees who have symptoms of the disease (fever / cough / shortness of breath) are referred to the health center responsible for school health within the geographical area and is not allowed to work until ensuring their safety from this disease.

11- Cooperating with the health teams and facilitating their task in following up on the above procedures, and using them through the contact points for emergency intervention when there is any suspicious case among the educational and teaching staff and students.

12- The above procedures are reviewed according to the developments in the epidemiological situation of the disease.

Secondly/ a reference to the letter of the Prime Minister’s Office numbered (Mr and / D 7/13/8131 on May 25, 2021), which is attached to the letter of the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, numbered (M. F/613 on May 3, 2021), which includes the request to enter the tourist groups To Iraq, and regarding it: It recommends postponing the entry of tourist groups to Iraq in all its forms, for fear of the entry of new breeds into Iraq, and until high coverage rates are achieved for our citizens covered by Covid-19 vaccines, to ensure that they are prevented from contracting the disease or not suffering severe injuries.

Third / Excluding diplomatic bodies, official delegations, experts, technicians, and workers in service projects, who are vaccinated with two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine arriving in Iraq (except for arrivals from India) from paragraph (3) of the decision of the Supreme Committee for Health and National Safety No. (12 of 2021), which includes ((Quarantine for arrivals to Iraq is a mandatory stone in their places of work or presence for a period of 14 days, and they are not allowed to mix with others until it is confirmed that they do not show any symptoms of the disease)), and it is sufficient to bring them a negative (PCR) examination within 72 hours before entering Iraq to prove that they are free from The infection with Covid-19 disease, provided that they are brought from their countries to prove this, taking into account the principle of reciprocity, due to the fact that the possibility of contracting the disease is very low because of their vaccination.

Fourth / Emphasizing the Supreme Judicial Council to hold accountable anyone who tries to spread misconceptions regarding everything related to Covid-19 disease.

Fifth / instructing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide the Ministry of Health with the position of all countries regarding the process of vaccinating Iraqis residing abroad (including diplomatic missions), in order to be treated similarly with the communities of those countries residing in Iraq (including diplomatic missions).

Sixth / Emphasis on the governors to abide by the instructions issued by the Supreme Committee for National Health and Safety and the decisions issued by the Council of Ministers, with regard to preventive measures for Covid-19 disease, and not to tolerate their implementation in order to preserve the health of citizens, and in the event that there is a vision to reduce or tighten the procedures, it is submitted to the Committee Supreme Council of Health and National Safety to express its opinion.

Seventh / Emphasis on the implementation of the recommendations issued by the Supreme Committee for Health and National Safety by the security services in coordination with the health teams in the health departments in all governorates, to prevent gatherings, follow up preventive measures and impose fines on violators, with the necessity of the health and security teams committing to wearing a mask.

Eighth / Emphasizing the media to broadcast awareness and education messages about the danger of human gatherings and the need to adhere to health instructions, especially the importance of taking vaccinations and staying away from hosting people who incite non-compliance and break the health ban and those who doubt the security and effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines, and hold violating channels accountable.

The Council of Ministers also discussed a number of other topics on its agenda, and took the following decisions:

First / Amending Paragraph (3) of Cabinet Resolution (103 of 2021), authorizing the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health to sign a letter of guarantee of the obligations of the Ministry of Health on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Iraq

Second/ The working hours of the employees of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs shall be 100%, and according to the necessities of work in the Ministry, provided that the employee is committed to taking the vaccine, and on the contrary, some allowances are withheld in the event the employee is not working and has not taken the vaccine

Third / Approval of the recommendations of the Ministerial Council for Energy (84 for the year 2021) and (91 for the year 2021) as follows:

- Sending an invitation in a single bid manner to the French company Total to invest in generating solar electric energy with a capacity of (1,000) megawatts, with an exception to the Council of Ministers’ decision (245 of 2019).

- Approval of the request of the Ministry of Electricity to contract in a single bidding manner for the Chinese company (Power China) as an exception to the instructions for implementing government contracts No. (2 of 2014), and that the appropriate implementation method for the Ministry of Electricity with the aforementioned company is to conduct engineering works, materials preparation and construction (EPC) with Determine the source of the project’s financing to be from one of the agreements or loans stipulated in the Federal General Budget Law of the Republic of Iraq for the fiscal year/2021, or one of the other sources of financing after completing the procedures and requirements for inclusion of the project in the Ministry of Planning.

Fourth / Formation of a tripartite committee from (the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Planning and the Federal Public Service Council) to agree to start the procedures for disengaging and restructuring departments and sections in ministries and agencies not affiliated with a ministry, which, under their laws, exercise tasks similar to the tasks stipulated in the Public Service Council Law Federal (4 of 2009) amended, to activate the role of the Council in the public service file, based on the provisions of Article (12/Second/B) of the Federal General Budget Law of the Republic of Iraq for the fiscal year/2021.

Fifth / The ministries of (Finance and Trade) automating the tax system, customs and import licenses, linking all taxable and customs units to an electronic system, and levying customs duties on imported goods on the basis of what was sold in foreign currency through the currency sale window and documentary credits to importers of goods, provided that Settling the differences after entering the imported and audited goods from the concerned authorities, based on the provisions of Article (16/4) of the Federal General Budget Law of the Republic of Iraq for the fiscal year/2021.

Sixth: The relevant authorities should prepare programs that are responsive to gender and empower women, based on the provisions of Article (28/Sixth) of the Federal General Budget Law of the Republic of Iraq for the fiscal year/2021.

Seventh: The Ministry of Finance allocates an additional amount of (only 500,000,000 five hundred billion dinars) to support the ration card allocations and improve its vocabulary and provide it throughout the year, based on the provisions of Article (50/b) of the Federal General Budget Law of the Republic of Iraq for the fiscal year/2021.

Eighth / Activating the work of the General Authority for Monitoring the Allocation of Federal Revenues stipulated in Article (106) of the Constitution, approved in Law (55) of 2017, and entrusting the task of the presidency of the aforementioned authority to Mrs. Hiam Nemat, Minister of State, based on the provisions of Article (54) of the Budget Law The Federal General Assembly of the Republic of Iraq for the fiscal year/2021.

Ninth/ The Ministry of Oil submits the appropriate study regarding the review of all oil contracts (signed with foreign companies for the exploration and transportation of oil and gas) in all parts of Iraq, in line with the principles of the Constitution, based on the provisions of Article (56/Second) of the Federal General Budget Law of the Republic of Iraq for the fiscal year 2021.

Tenth / that the relevant authorities take appropriate measures regarding the creation of job grades to apply the following paragraphs, provided that the concerned authorities bear the costs of implementing them from their allocations approved by the budget law, based on the provisions of Article (61) of the Federal General Budget Law of the Republic of Iraq for the fiscal year/2021.

Eleventh / The Ministry of Agriculture submitted a study on the payment of compensation to farmers due to floods in Maysan governorate for the year 2018, and Abu Ghraib district for the year 2014, based on the provisions of Article 68 / c of the Federal Budget Law of the Republic of Iraq for the fiscal year / 2021.

Media Office of the Prime Minister
1 - June - 2021

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ARTICLE 1-B (from PM Kadhimi's website; posted only on Arabic side, not on English side)

Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi receives Vice President of the World Bank Group 

The Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kazemi, received today, Tuesday, the Vice President of the World Bank Group for the Middle East and North Africa, Mr. Farid Belhaj and his accompanying delegation.

During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance cooperation between Iraq and the World Bank in various programs and fields, and with regard to mechanisms to combat corruption and rebuild the public service structure in a way that raises efficiency, establishes sustainable development and optimal investment of human capital. Iraq and agree on ways to reactivate it.

The Prime Minister affirmed Iraq's determination, despite all challenges, to proceed on the path of economic reform, according to long-term visions based on effective solutions.

His Excellency indicated that the government puts in mind the interests of Iraq first and the needs of the Iraqi people, in addition to benefiting from the advice provided by discreet financial institutions such as the World Bank.

For his part, Mr. Belhaj praised the Bank's historical and strategic relations with Iraq, and pointed to the sobriety of the reform white paper presented by the government, which includes a coherent vision for ambitious economic development in a way that enhances the goals of good governance.

Media Office of the Prime Minister
1 - June - 2021

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ARTICLE 2 (from Government of Iraq twitter account)

Cabinet Spokesperson: The number of coronavirus infections has decreased over the past two weeks, and the Cabinet has voted to keep staff working at 50%.
Cabinet Spokesperson: The @IraqiGovt refers all violations and abuses after investigation to the judicial authority, and it is the one that decides what will happen.

Cabinet spokesman: The @IraqiGovt does not allow such violations, and no one may challenge it with its capabilities.
Cabinet Spokesperson: PM @MAKadhimi handled the difficulties of the past week with wisdom and patience, and the case is now under investigation in the joint operations.
Cabinet Spokesperson, the Minister of Culture @HassanNadhem, holds a press conference in Baghdad to brief the media on today’s Cabinet meeting and developments in Iraq.
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ARTICLE 3

Iraq ramps up border security via tunnels, surveillance
Iraq focuses on preventing terrorist organizations from entering its territories, after they have used the border areas to conduct operations and move between Syria and Iraq.

June 1, 2021

Iraqi security authorities announced at the beginning of May that they were digging a trench and employing advanced surveillance technologies along the border with Syria, to tighten security and keep terrorists from entering Iraq.

The US-led coalition, in cooperation with the Iraqi army and the peshmerga, managed to end the Islamic State’s (IS) control over large parts of Iraq and Syria in 2017. Yet IS continuously seeks to infiltrate from Syria. On March 14, Iraqi forces thwarted an infiltration attempt by a terrorist group in Dokji border area in the west of Mount Sinjar. That prompted an Iraqi security source to affirm May 1 that the Iraqi forces coordinate with the Syrian Democratic Forces to track down IS members.

The infiltration of terrorists through the Syrian-Iraqi border is not ostensibly a new problem. In 2009, former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki accused Syria of supporting and training terrorists.

Speaking to Al-Monitor, Iraq's armed forces spokesman Yahya Rasoul pointed to “the successful coordination between the Iraqi forces and US-led coalition in digging the trench, and ensuring surveillance and reconnaissance operations through new capabilities, such as an unmanned aircraft system,” He stressed that “terrorist outfits continuously seek to cross from and into both sides of the Syrian-Iraqi border.”

He noted that “nearly 150 watchtowers will be set up across the border area, beginning at Mount Sinjar, as part of the Syria-Iraq border security project.”

Rasoul explained that in addition to “the trench that is 3 meters [10 feet] deep and 3 meters wide, embankments, barbed wire and advanced thermal imaging cameras that the coalition provided will be installed.”

He added, “The trench, the embankments and ongoing pre-emptive security operations against terrorism will stop any security danger coming from the northeastern parts of Syria, where the Syrian army is absent and many terrorist outfits are present. Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi ordered full control over the border with Syria.”

Fadel Abu Ragheef, an expert on extremist groups at the Development Research Center, told Al-Monitor, “The infiltration of terrorist groups will be curbed in the next stage, using advanced technology.”

He said, “More than two-thirds of the 605-kilometer [376-mile] Iraqi-Syrian border has been secured, through military engineering, and with the participation of the Joint Operations Command and the Ministry of Water Resources. This coordination provided the necessary machinery for digging trenches and gullies.”

Abu Ragheef anticipates that “more than 85% to 90% of the border will be secured, which will automatically curb any infiltration without the need for human resources.” He expects to see “tangible results in the short term.”

Since the end of 2020, Iraq has sought to preserve security achievements and prevent terrorists from crossing from and into the two countries.

The spokesman for the Iraqi Joint Operations Command, Tahsin al-Khafaji, told Al-Monitor, “The joint efforts by the US-led coalition, the defense and water resources ministries, and the Popular Mobilization Units [PMU] will ensure putting in place a trench along the Iraqi-Syrian border, as well as embankments. All of that consists of natural barriers that would impede the infiltration of terrorist groups and smuggling.”

Speaking to Al-Monitor, parliament member Falah al-Khafaji of the Victory Alliance warned, “In case the efforts were limited to digging the trench, nothing will be achieved. Resorting to advanced surveillance technologies without training personnel on how to use them efficiently will be ineffective as well.”

He added, “The Syrian-Iraqi border has been a source of suffering for Iraq over the past years due to the presence of terrorist groups on the Syrian side.”

Khafaji noted, “Cooperation is necessary between the US-led coalition, Iraqi security forces, peshmerga forces and the PMU in order for the trench and surveillance equipment, which cost Iraq a large sum, to bring good results.”

Preventing terrorist infiltration of Iraq's border from Syria depends on coordination not just with the US-led coalition, but as part of a coordination with neighboring countries, Syrian Kurdish forces and at times Russia.

IS had effectively removed any border between Syria and Iraq in 2014 after it took control over large parts of the two sides, as well as the Abu Kamal-Qaim border crossing. That could happen again in case the US-led coalition’s aircraft halted its strikes against IS and the security grip was loosened over the border.

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ARTICLE 4

Kataib Hezbollah's al-Etejah TV is still airing false claims about the release of Qasim Muslih, as well as coup threats that draw comparisons to Yemen's Houthi takeover.

Militia spotlight recently detailed muqawama deception efforts aimed at giving the false impression that Qasim Muslih, Kataib Hezbollah (KH) affiliated militia Liwa al-Tafuf commander, was released from custody after his May 26 arrest for the killing of Iraqi activists. Initially these deception efforts relating to his arrest were largely conducted over Telegram, Twitter, and other social media. By late May 27, however, the deception effort shifted to television. During its evening broadcast, Kataib Hezbollah’s al-Etejah TV invited two guests to discuss the matter (Figure 1). Al-Etejah has previously had websites seized by the United States Department of Justice for its association with KH.

In his contributions on the recent al-Etejah segment, Abdal-Sadah took a particularly aggressive position, threatening Prime Minister Kadhimi and his government for the arrest of Qasim Muslih on terrorism charges. He said:

“Kadhimi’s mercenaries and advisors need to heed this carefully: the Hashd al-Shaabi [PMF] is the greatest power… the moment [the Kadhimi government] works against the PMF, they will have to find another country to go to as refugees.”

Abdal-Sadah continued by describing the rally of PMF forces around the Baghdad International Zone the day before as a message of deterrence:

“besieging and cordoning off the International Zone and closing the gates… by the PMF is a big message of deterrence… PMF forces entered the International Zone and controlled it and Kadhimi’s team either fled or hid.”

Abdal-Sadah was referring to unsuccessful attempts by PMF brigades loyal to the muqawama (at least some of which belonged to KH and Kataib al-Imam Ali) to take control of the International Zone. Abdal-Sadah continued on air:

“what happened yesterday in the International Zone was one step short of the experience of Ansar Allah in Yemen. If Kadhimi takes another similar step towards Hashd al-Shaabi, the experience of Ansar Allah will be duplicated and Kadhimi will either flee to Sulaymaniyah or get killed on the way to Sulaymaniyah”.

Ahmad Abdal-Sadah was directly invoking the situation in Yemen, where the Iran-backed Ansar Allah movement (also known as the Houthis) took control of Yemen’s capital in the September 2014 coup.

Al-Etijah’s other guest, Ahmad Nasrullah, was Muslih’s deputy at the Hashd West Anbar Operations axis (Figure 3). Though Nasrullah is certainly in a position to know that Muslih remains in government custody, he repeated the false claims that Muslih had been released to the PMF. But unlike Abdal-Sadah, Nasrullah adopted a more moderate tone in public. Nasrullah can be very aggressive in private: in December 2020, a leaked phone conversation between Ahmad Nasrullah and Dhiya Muhammad (the Chief of Staff of Anbar operations), Nasrullah said that if any Iraqi army officer tried to remove posters of Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis “we will cut [off their arms] at the elbow and will send it to you in Anbar”. At al-Etijah, Nasrullah characterized PMF presence in the International Zone in a non-confrontational way, claiming: “We are in the International Zone to assist our brothers … we are peaceful people, whenever we realize the state is in danger, citizens are in danger… we intervene.”

This is line with observed trends. Commentators such as Abdal-Sadah and other muqawama-affiliates active on social media often threaten any person who criticizes Iran and its proxies. Likewise, muqawama leaders hiding behind fake names (such as Abu Ali al-Askari) feel free to threaten the prime minister and other Iraqi officials. In contrast, those who assume official roles in the PMF tend to use a more toned-down language in public, in order to maintain a veneer of respectability. It should be noted that the PMF is formally a part of the Iraqi armed forces under 2016’s Law of the Hashd al-Shaabi, with its component brigades required to obey the Prime Minister, and its members subject to (inter alia) the 2007 Law of Military Punishments.

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