The Sudanese government acknowledges the experience of dollar speculators and counts on September
On Sunday, the Iraqi government expressed its hope that the release of budget funds would contribute to reducing the price of the dollar in the parallel market, while it acknowledged that currency speculators have long experience and fraudulent methods dating back to the nineties of the last century.
The government spokesman, Basem Al-Awadi, told Shafaq News agency, "The launch of the budget definitely means the availability of funds. Therefore, the funds will be released towards ministries, departments, and general directorates in the governorates, independent bodies, and all state institutions, and this means that there is a large cash flow."
Al-Awadi added, "Many financial advisors in the government hope, with the release of budget funds, that next month will be a catalyst for the very large decrease in the dollar exchange rate."
He pointed out that "the recent rise in the exchange rate came as a result of the decisions taken to prevent 14 Iraqi banks from dealing in dollars, as this negatively affected the market, in addition to the way speculators performed in the currency."
Al-Awadi pointed out, "The Iraqi government's procedures are clear from five months ago until the moment, and the exchange rate fluctuates between ups and downs, but the government is serious about these measures and has a specific plan."
He explained that "price speculators have long experience since the nineties of the last century, and they move in a way that has a lot of experience and fraud, and despite that, the government's program is clear according to the scheme of the Central Bank, banks and merchants, to correct the work to go towards buying and selling trade through the central and in the right ways."
The Iraqi government spokesman concluded by saying, "The government deals with speculators in dollars according to the law, and that requires legal measures from economic security and the state to move in this direction."
The government statements contradict the assumptions of economists that the exchange rate of the dollar will stabilize at its current rates in the parallel market, which exceed the barrier of 150 thousand dinars for every 100 dollars.
Over the past few months, the Central Bank of Iraq's attempts to control the parallel currency market, subjugate the exchange rate and return it to the official rate of 1,320 dinars per dollar have failed.
Parliamentary Committee: Amending the investment law as an infrastructure to attract companies
The Parliamentary Investment Committee confirmed, on Sunday, that the amendment of the investment law represents a basic structure to attract international companies, noting that Iraq needs new legislation to keep pace with developments in the field of investment.
The deputy head of the committee, Hussein Al-Sabri, said in a press interview seen by “Takadam” that “his committee approached the investment commissions with the need to amend the investment law to keep pace with the challenges.”
He added that “the aim of amending the law is to keep pace with the development taking place in the countries of the world,” noting that “the current investment law does not encourage attracting foreign investment.”
And he pointed out that "it is necessary to work in advanced ways and appropriate conditions and provide suitable climates to attract capital to develop the infrastructure and introduce modern technology into the country."
The plot thickens over Iraq’s bank heist
I don't have a subscription but wow even the Economist is reporting on this? hmmmm
The exposure of crookery surrounding Iraq’s tax revenues has rattled rulers, past and present
purred by a recent exposé in The Economist’s sister publication, 1843, of the theft of $2.5bn of state funds, the Iraqi authorities have called on America, Britain and Interpol to help arrest and extradite suspects who have sought refuge abroad. Four senior men in Iraq’s previous government under Mustafa al-Kadhimi are wanted. An investigation had been launched by his government last year, but then the case was largely left to languish, despite promises of action by Muhammad al-Sudani, his successor as prime minister.
Responsibility for further action seems to have been shunted onto Western and Middle Eastern governments. The accused quartet—a former finance minister, an intelligence chief, a senior adviser and a private secretary to Mr Kadhimi—have been living in Dubai, London and Washington. They strenuously deny the accusations, which they say are politically motivated.
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Parliamentary diagnosis of the reasons for the weakness of the Iraqi dinar since 2003.. What is America's relationship?
Today, Saturday, a former member of the House of Representatives, Jassem Al-Bayati, explained the reasons for the weakness of the dinar currency in the Iraqi markets, while he considered it to be going through a stage of “instability.” He accused America of playing an “inappropriate” game with Iraq.
Al-Bayati said in an interview with Al-Maalouma agency, "The weakness of the dinar and its instability in the Iraqi markets, especially in recent times, has many reasons behind it," noting that "the first reason is the decision to re -Exchange the dollar against the dinar from 1470 to 1320.
And Al-Bayati said: “There is no country that takes such a step and reduces the dollar by such a large percentage,” adding: “The reduction stages are supposed to be consecutive, starting from 1460 - 1420 - 1400, and so the decline is consistent.”
He added, "We are now at a loss, as we cannot obtain dollars in the local markets, not even from bank accounts," noting that "the dinar is going through a period of instability."
The former member of the House of Representatives explained, "The other thing behind the instability of the dinar is the connection of the issue with America, which is playing an inappropriate game with Iraq."
And Al-Bayati said, "The decision to reduce the dinar is governmental, and it bears its responsibility," noting that "the central bank's measures to restore the strength of the Iraqi dinar did not bear fruit, and things may be complicated after more." .”
He continued his speech, saying: “The decision to return the dollar to 1,320 dinars greatly affected the financial budget, and nearly 10 trillion dinars were sacrificed,” noting that “price speculators and those close to America and neighboring countries supporting Washington are the ones who obtained these 10 trillion through Buying the dollar at 1320.
The Iraqi dinar has been in an unenviable situation for nearly 20 years, after what one dinar was equal to 3 and a half dollars over the past century, it reached more than 1550 against one US dollar, which caused the Iraqi economy to worsen.
The dinar is in the central recovery rooms.. and accusations against the Americans of creating crises
The official currency of the Republic of Iraq, and one of the historical manifestations and legacy that accompanied Mesopotamia for more than 90 years, proved its strength in the global economy, but in one way or another it began to decline and reached "unenviable" stages.
The dinar, which was previously compared to world currencies, reached the path of strength overnight and found itself ahead of many countries, as it began to be used in 1932, i.e. during Iraq's independence from Britain, and was replaced by the Indian rupee at a rate of 1 dinar = 13 rupees.
Later, he decided to link it to the US dollar without changing its value at a rate of 1 dinar = 2.8 dollars, and in 1971 Washington took a decision to devalue its currency by 7.9%, and in 1973 it decreased by 10% to become $3.3778, and it fell to 3.2169. $, which remained in circulation until the second Gulf War in 1991.
And after 2003, the local currency in Iraq began to decline day after day, which led to its reaching significantly low rates against the dollar, so the Central Bank's procedures did not help it, and America's policy towards the Iraqi economy "made matters worse."
The economic expert, Abd al-Rahman al-Mashhadani, explained the reasons for the instability of the Iraqi dinar in the local markets compared to other Arab currencies, while confirming the existence of a large discrepancy between import and export in the country's markets.
Al-Mashhadani said, in an interview with Al-Maalouma Agency, that "the central banks of the Gulf countries, whether they are Jordan, Kuwait or even Saudi Arabia, have taken a decision to price their local currency, which depends on a basket of currencies, including Iraq, as bulletins previously appeared in the newspaper in the seventies." of the last century, measured on the basis of this basket.”
And he adds, "All world currencies are attributed to the dollar, but the economies of these countries are stable and there is no problem, and the difference is obtained at the prices of market materials, that is, inflation occurs and the rates of rise increase, which happened in the Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait as well."
And the economist explains, "These countries do not deal in dollars in the markets at all, given that all financial transfers are obtained in the local currency only, and this is one of the reasons for the stability of the market," noting that "Iraq was unable to control this situation completely."
Al-Mashhadani points out, "The other matter is trade, that is, import and export, without relying on the government sector in particular. In Iraq's markets, as a result of the large discrepancy between import and export, it is natural that there will be a great demand for dollars."
And he confirms, "The Iraqi dinar is linked to the dollar before 2003, that is, from the Kuwaiti war in 1991, given that the market has always fed the import of the private sector, so there will be no stability."
In turn, a former member of the House of Representatives, Jassem Al-Bayati, personified the reasons for the weakness of the dinar currency in the Iraqi markets, while accusing America of playing an "inappropriate" game with Iraq.
Al-Bayati mentioned, in an interview with Al-Maalouma Agency, that "the weakness of the dinar and its instability in the Iraqi markets, especially in recent times, has many reasons behind it," noting that "the first reason is the decision to re-exchange the dollar against the dinar from 1470 to 1320."
Al-Bayati explains: "There is no country that takes such a step and reduces the dollar by such a large percentage," adding: "The reduction stages are supposed to be consecutive, starting from 1460 - 1420 - 1400, and so the decline is consistent."
And he added, "We are now in a state of confusion, as we cannot obtain dollars in the local markets, not even from bank accounts," noting that "the dinar is going through a period of instability."
And the former member of the House of Representatives points out that, "The other thing behind the instability of the dinar is the connection of the issue with America, which is playing an inappropriate game with Iraq."
And Al-Bayati shows that "the decision to reduce the dinar is governmental and it bears its responsibility," noting that "the central bank's measures to restore the strength of the Iraqi dinar did not bear fruit, and things may be complicated after more."
He continued his speech, saying: “The decision to return the dollar to 1,320 dinars greatly affected the financial budget, and nearly 10 trillion dinars were sacrificed,” noting that “price speculators and those close to America and neighboring countries supporting Washington are the ones who obtained these 10 trillion through Buying the dollar at 1320.
The sources of countries' strength in the economic field are determined by several factors, foremost of which is the national currency, which requires elaborate measures to maintain its strength internally and externally, and the basis of these measures is to activate the private sector, expand the import sector and reduce exports.
Parliamentary Finance: Central measures failed to control the dollar
A member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, Muhammad Nuri, confirmed, on Saturday, the failure of the central bank to control the exchange rate of the dollar against the Iraqi dinar.
Nuri said in an interview with Al-Maalouma agency, "The gateway to smuggling currency is still continuing by the parties and their banks, with the increase in the sale of the dollar by the Central Bank of Iraq."
He added that "the central bank's policy towards the dollar has not succeeded so far," noting that "the central bank does not have serious and real solutions to control the exchange of the dollar."
Nuri pointed out that "the dollar file is still outside the control of the Central Bank due to the control of some external and internal parties by the decision of the Central Bank."
A member of the House of Representatives, Amir Al-Mamouri, confirmed earlier that the currency auction has become a front for draining the dollar and making profits from corrupt money, pointing out that the file to solve the dollar crisis has not made any progress.
Baghdad and Erbil negotiations are continuing regarding the oil and gas law.. Parliamentary legality resolves the controversy
Baghdad and Erbil negotiations on the oil and gas law continue, amid a parliamentary movement and a government to pass through the law in the current legislative term, while the Parliamentary Legal Committee resolves the controversy over the law and the date of its arrival in parliament.
Baghdad and Erbil agreement
And on (August 2, 2023), the Prime Minister, Muhammad Shia’ al-Sudani, held a meeting devoted to discussing the draft federal oil and gas law, in preparation for its approval in the Council and its submission to Parliament, in the presence of a number of leaders of political blocs, the ministers of foreign affairs, oil and industry, and the advisor to the Minister of Natural Resources in the government. Kurdistan region, as well as a number of technical and legal advisors and experts, according to a government statement.
While the Kurdistan Regional Council of Ministers approved on (August 9, 2023), a prerequisite for preparing an oil and gas law with the federal government in Baghdad, which is based on "constitutional foundations . "
And the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Masrour Barzani, stresses, "The need to prepare a draft oil and gas law at the federal level of Iraq, based on the provisions of the constitution related to the oil and gas sector, provided that these constitutional articles constitute the basic foundation for that, and the draft law should also be approved by the federal government." And the Kurdistan region and the oil-producing provinces in Iraq, reflecting the principles of the federal system in the country.
Resolve the controversy over the law
And the Parliamentary Legal Committee resolved the controversy over the oil and gas law, as committee member Sajjad Salem said in an interview with "Baghdad Today", that "the current legislative term will be the best in terms of enacting laws in light of the desire to increase momentum in this direction."
He pointed out that "there is no specific number of laws that will be included for readings and then voting, but there will be important laws among them."
He explained, "The governmental negotiations between Baghdad and Erbil on some laws, including oil and gas, are continuing, and when the controversial points are resolved, the draft law will be sent to the House of Representatives for the first and second reading and then vote on it."
He stressed that "the law is still with the government and that consensus is what resolves the controversial points."
Five points impede approval
Earlier, the economist, Nabil Al-Marsoumi, identified the reasons for not legislating the oil and gas law, while pointing to five points that impede approval.
Al-Marsoumi indicated in a post followed by "Baghdad Today" that "the most prominent of these differences is giving the region licensing authority in the field of exploration and development of discovered undeveloped fields, and the major disagreement over the interpretation of Article (112/First) of the constitution, and the negotiating role of the Federal Oil and Gas Council and its tasks, As well as the loss of a unified central policy that drives competition and disagreement between the National Oil Company and between the regions and governorates.
Concerning the dollar crisis.. Al-Fateh: The US treasury is "manipulating" the fate of the people
Today, Saturday, a member of the Al-Fateh Alliance, Ali Al-Zubaidi, accused the US treasury of manipulating the fate of the people by deepening the crisis of the dollar’s high exchange rate in the local market, while stressing that Iraq needs to achieve economic independence away from US hegemony.
Al-Zubaidi said, in an interview with Al-Maalouma Agency, that "there is no fairness in continuing to deposit the country's money in the US Federal Bank," noting that "Washington lacks a lot of credibility in the treaties and charters that are agreed upon."
And he continued, "Iraq will end the dollar crisis if it gets rid of the hegemony imposed by the United States of America on the money for selling oil," pointing out that "the American treasury continues to manipulate the fate of the people by deepening the crisis of the high exchange rate of the dollar in the local markets."
Al-Zubaidi went on: "Washington verbally imposes Chapter VII restrictions on Iraq in order to achieve its own interests," adding that "the country needs to achieve economic independence away from the American hegemony perched on Iraq's chest in many files."
Member of Parliament Kazem Al-Touki said, in an interview with Al-Information Agency, that "the measures taken by the Central Bank did not withstand the decisions of the US Treasury regarding the dollar, while he stressed that the sanctions that the US Treasury continues to impose will not allow the stability of the exchange rates of the dollar in the local markets.
Sudanese advisor: The financial situation in the country indicates a high degree of stability
The financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, today, Saturday, ruled out a financial deficit during the current fiscal year 2023, and while he put forward two reasons, he confirmed that the financial situation in the country indicates a high degree of stability.
Saleh said, to the official agency, followed by Mawazine News, that "the federal general budget for the years 2023-2024-2025 has taken into account sufficient precaution for fluctuations in annual budget revenues, specifically oil revenues, as the fiscal policy adopted a hypothetical or precautionary deficit amounting to approximately 64 trillion dinars."
He added, "The federal general budget indicated at the same time in its law a clear precautionary detail for the sources of financing that deficit as well, as its financing sources will be when necessary from the surpluses of the internal financial market, by dealing with bonds and treasury transfers issued by the government and bought by the banking system and the public from their financial resources." available in order to invest in those government securities and consider them excellent debt instruments.
And he continued, “Despite the foregoing, we do not expect a deficit during the current fiscal year for two reasons: the first is the existence of a financial surplus of about 23 trillion dinars, and the second is that the cycle of oil assets is trending upward, as the average barrel of Brent oil touches 85 dollars, which means that there is demand.” globally increasingly dependent on oil.
And he added, "If the situation continues until the end of the current fiscal year, the country's financial situation indicates a high degree of stability in a positive way, warning at the same time the importance of imposing financial discipline in managing the state's public expenditures, as well as maximizing financial revenues according to the timing required to ensure its cash flows." In a reassuring and proper manner, to ensure the country’s financial sustainability.”
Washington calls on Baghdad to change the legal description of its forces inside Iraq
The representative of the Fatah Alliance, Ali Turki, revealed, on Sunday, that the American negotiator asked the Iraqi military delegation during the negotiations that took place in Washington recently, to change the legal description of the American advisors to combat forces.
Turki said in a statement to Al-Maalouma, "Reliable sources within the Iraqi delegation informed us that the American negotiator requested changing the legal description of the advisers present in the American bases inside Iraq to combat forces," pointing out that "this matter is contrary to the previous decision of the House of Representatives."
He added, "The composition of the military delegation that went to negotiate with the Americans in Washington has many question marks, because there are people who have suspicions of having ties with the US intelligence."
Turki pointed out that "the Iraqi delegation did not include representatives of the Security and Defense and Foreign Relations Committees in the House of Representatives."
He pointed out that "the military delegation will be hosted to the dome of Parliament for the purpose of revealing to the Iraqi people to get acquainted with and clarify the negotiations that took place in a public session."
Al-Sudani assures the US ambassador that Iraq will continue to implement its reform programs and build fruitful partnerships
Prime Minister, Mr. Mohamed Shia'a Al-Sudani, receives the US Ambassador to Iraq
••••••••••
The Prime Minister, Mr. Muhammad Shia'a Al-Sudani, received today, Sunday, the Ambassador of the United States of America to Iraq, Ms. Alina Romanowski.
During the meeting, they discussed the overall Iraqi-American relations, and ways to enhance joint cooperation in the economic and development fields, in light of the Strategic Framework Agreement, in a way that benefits the interests of the two friendly countries.
The Prime Minister affirmed that Iraq will continue to implement its reform programs at various levels, and work to build fruitful partnerships with friendly and brotherly countries.
His Excellency stressed the need for the continuation of the dialogue between Iraq and the United States to regulate the relationship in the post-victory stage over the terrorist organization Daesh, and in light of the development of the capabilities of the Iraqi security forces.
For her part, the US ambassador expressed the US government's keenness to continue cooperation and develop common interests with Iraq. She also praised the last round of strategic dialogue between Iraq and the US in the US capital, Washington, stressing her country's readiness to continue constructive dialogue.
•••••
Media Office of the Prime Minister
13-August-2023
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Shia Al-Sudani stresses the need to preserve the prestige of the state
The Iraqi Prime Minister, Muhammad Shayaa Al-Sudani, stressed the necessity of firmness in enforcing the law and preserving the prestige of the state, and not hesitating to take the necessary measures that would consolidate the rule of law and enhance security and stability in the province .
The office of the Iraqi Prime Minister stated - in a press statement reported by "Alsumaria News" channel this evening, Thursday - that Al-Sudani reviewed the security situation throughout Maysan Governorate during his visit to the governorate, and the security plans prepared to face the security challenges it is witnessing, especially with regard to clan conflicts and their repercussions on civil peace. In society, and its effects on development efforts and investment in it, as well as discussing plans for combating drugs and criminal offenses .
He pointed out that there is a continuous evaluation of the officers, regarding the level of security performance in carrying out the tasks and duties assigned to them, pointing to the support of the security services of all kinds, and overcoming obstacles regarding the problems they face in Maysan Governorate .
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The Parliamentary Economy hosts the governor of the central bank to discuss controlling the exchange rate of the dollar
Today, Sunday (August 13, 2023), the Parliamentary Committee on Economy, Industry and Trade expressed its support for the measures of the government and the Central Bank of Iraq in fighting speculators at the dollar exchange rate.
A statement by the Parliamentary Media Department, received by "Baghdad Today", stated that the committee "hosted Ali Mohsen Al-Alaq, Governor of the Central Bank, and discussed with him the rise of the dollar and the mechanisms used by the bank to control the exchange rate, in addition to the issue of the central reserve of hard currency."
According to the statement, the meeting discussed "the issue of the electronic platform for foreign remittances, and the Parliamentary Economy Committee confirmed its support for the government and the central bank's measures to combat exchange rate speculators."
The committee stressed that "taking into account the international standards that the Central Bank operates, which cannot be exceeded."
And called for "the need to make a greate r effort to stabilize the exchange rate and control outlets and currency speculators and illegal trade."
The Central Bank of Iraq issued in the past days a set of procedures and instructions to control the exchange rate of the dollar after its rise in the "parallel market" to more than 1,500 dinars.
The bank promised to issue a new package of decisions that it says will contribute to reducing the exchange of the dollar against the dinar.
A delegation from the regional government will visit Baghdad tomorrow, and two laws are on its agenda
Hawrami said, in a press statement, that: "A delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government will visit Baghdad on Tuesday (August 15) to discuss the implementation of the financial budget law."
He explained that "the delegation will discuss the oil and gas law in Baghdad, and will include representatives of the Ministry of Natural Resources and experts in oil and gas."
It is noteworthy that a delegation from the political bureau of the Kurdistan Democratic Party arrived in Baghdad on August 7, and held meetings with the coordination framework and Prime Minister Muhammad Shia al-Sudani, which focused on the non-implementation of the agreements under which the current government was formed.
On August 5, the Ministry of Oil said, after a meeting that included Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein and Oil Minister Hassan Abdul-Ghani, the delegation of the Kurdistan region, the governors of the oil-producing provinces, and the prime minister’s advisors, that the meeting came as part of the legislative reform package that came in the government’s curriculum, specifically what came in the twenty-third axis. Regarding the preparation of a draft oil and gas law to expedite the completion of this project and with the participation of all relevant parties in this strategic national project.
The meeting discussed, according to the statement, "the importance and objectives of the law and the need to implement it as soon as possible, with the participation of the region, oil-producing governorates and representatives of the Prime Minister's Office," noting that the atmosphere of the meeting was positive.
The meeting resulted in the following recommendations:
1- Forming committees to follow up on this issue and organizing subsequent meetings.
2- A working paper is presented by the committees on the basis of the vision presented by the ministry, the Kurdistan Regional Government and the producing provinces in light of the discussions that took place during the meeting and the previous discussions to be studied by these committees in order to prepare the final draft of the oil and gas law.
Since 2007, the oil and gas bill has been sent to parliament 3 times, political differences preventing it from being passed each time.
Besides the 2007 draft, the Iraqi government prepared two projects in 2008 and 2011.
The first draft of the oil and gas law, prepared in 2007 by the Iraqi government, consisted of 43 articles, and disagreements between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the federal government prevented its approval.
The draft stipulated the formation of a federal council for oil and gas by the Iraqi government that would determine the oil policy in Iraq, in which the Kurdistan region would be represented with the rank of minister.
In 2011, the Iraqi parliament discussed a draft oil and gas law consisting of 49 articles, without being able to pass it either.
It is noteworthy that the Federal Supreme Court ruled on (February 15, 2022) the "unconstitutionality" of the oil and gas law approved by the Kurdistan Parliament in 2007, obligating the Kurdistan Region to hand over its oil to the federal government.
Directors of government banks are looking to change banking systems in Iraq
Directors of government banks discussed, on Sunday, changing the Iraqi banking systems.
And the Rafidain Bank stated, in a statement received by IQ NEWS, that the Director of the Rafidain Bank, Maher Hussein Rashid, chaired today a meeting in the general administration of the bank, which included the Director General of the Legal Department in the Ministry of Finance, Muhammad Hamza Mustafa, and the directors of some government banks, in the presence of representatives of the Central Bank of Iraq.
He added, "During the meeting, a discussion was reviewed of what had been achieved from the draft internal regulations for government banks and the observations that were put forward at the previous meeting, in accordance with the directives of the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Iraq."
The Director General of Al-Rafidain Bank stressed that "the goal of changing the internal regulations of government banks is to open broader horizons for the bank's dealings internally and externally, and to introduce modern electronic systems and automation within the framework of institutional governance and drawing up financial policy in the country and benefiting from technologies that contribute to the speedy completion of transactions and their development in a way that serves the interest of the bank and its customers." ".
The meeting witnessed, according to the statement, "opening the door for discussions and interventions aimed at addressing the gaps related to the draft bylaw for government banks and keeping pace with international banking updates."
The Central Bank tightens control over banking institutions to keep them away from new international sanctions
The Central Bank of Iraq confirmed the tightening of its control over financial and banking institutions to keep them away from new international sanctions, while revealing the fact that there is a crisis in providing the dollar to merchants.
The Deputy Director General of the Investments Department at the Central Bank, Muhammad Yunis, said that there is no crisis in the dollar currency, especially since Iraq has achieved historical levels in its reserves of foreign currency and gold during the last period.
He added that the crisis is being fabricated by those who want to adopt informal methods of obtaining foreign currency, which put pressure on the dollar on the black market.
He stressed the need to adhere to the instructions and controls for financing international trade set by the Central Bank in cooperation with international institutions.
He pointed out that the Central Bank aims, through its strict procedures on financial and banking institutions, to distance them as much as possible from international sanctions that harm the reputation of our sober banking sector.
He stated that the Prime Minister, Muhammad Shia'a al-Sudani, directed, in a meeting with the Central Bank, the tax departments to facilitate tax procedures for trade and facilitate all their work.
Last July, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on 14 Iraqi banks for violations related to their dealings with entities that Washington imposes international sanctions on.
Masrour Barzani is holding "military" talks with a delegation from the international coalition
The Prime Minister of Kurdistan Regional Government, Masrour Barzani, received today, Sunday evening, a high-ranking delegation from the international coalition forces in Iraq and Syria, which included the new commander-in-chief, General Jules Fowle, and the former commander, General Matthew MacFarlane.
During the meeting, the prime minister expressed his thanks and appreciation to General MacFarlane for his efforts and services that he provided during his tenure in office, wishing him success in his next mission, according to a statement by the regional government.
He also congratulated the Prime Minister, General Fowle, on his assumption of his new position, and expressed the readiness of the Kurdistan Regional Government to provide all necessary cooperation and support to successfully achieve his mission.
The meeting focused on continuing reform efforts within the Ministry of Peshmerga, overcoming all problems and obstacles that exist in the process of unifying its forces, in addition to distancing the ministry from any partisan influences.
The meeting also dealt with the situation in Iraq in general, and the latest developments related to efforts to combat the threats posed by ISIS terrorists in Iraq and Syria.
The Sudanese are open despite Biden's delay.. Details of a new understanding that establishes long-term military cooperation
The American "Al-Monitor" website considered that the administration of US President Joe Biden, and through the understandings announced two days ago between Washington and Baghdad with the visit of Iraqi Defense Minister Thabet Al-Abbasi, took the first step, in order to answer the questions of the US Congress about how the Pentagon plans to deal And cooperate with the Iraqi forces to act on their own, after defeating ISIS.
The American report, translated by Shafaq News agency, stated that "more than 4 years after ISIS handed over its last stronghold at the Iraqi-Syrian border, senior Pentagon officials sat down with their Iraqi counterparts to lay the foundation for US military support for Baghdad over the next decade."
The report indicated that "the important meetings held in Washington were a late step by Biden towards unifying the approaches of US government agencies to enable the Iraqi army to stand on its own."
And the American report mentioned, in a statement to the Middle East policy official at the Pentagon, Dana Stroul, who said before the meetings, "We want a partnership with them like the partnership that we have with the armies in the rest of the region," and that the American forces will not be present in Iraq in the current form in which they are now.
According to the report, the Biden administration's policy approach towards Iraq has focused largely on the campaign to defeat ISIS, and with the terrorist organization heading for covert action, Washington is seeking to bring economic investments to Iraq to help stabilize its economy and achieve rapprochement between it and its Gulf neighbors, including through military partnerships.
Sudanese open minded
The report quoted the US ambassador to Iraq, Elena Romanovsky, as saying recently that "the time has come now to seize this opportunity, and Prime Minister Muhammad Shia' al-Sudani is very open to that."
He also quoted Stroll as indicating that "there are opportunities to facilitate Iraq's integration with partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and that this can also be achieved through military exercises and military engagement."
According to US officials, who spoke to Al-Monitor, the ISIS networks that seek to launch attacks in Iraq and Syria have been reduced to a low-level insurgency with limited ability to carry out external operations, noting a 64% decrease in ISIS attacks in Iraq during the period. last year.
In this context, the report mentioned, with a statement by the commander of the coalition forces, General Matthew MacFarlane, in which he said, "We believe that there are a thousand or less ISIS in Iraq, and the same is true for Syria."
The American report pointed out that "US military officials recently praised the steps taken by the Iraqi security forces since the near collapse that the army suffered in 2014 at the hands of ISIS, when the organization swept across the border from Syria and approached close to Baghdad, imposing its rule on an area the size of Britain has about 8 million people, and General McFarlane was quoted as saying, "We are now focusing on building their (the Iraqi army's) capabilities to carry out more than one operation at a time and build on it throughout Iraq."
American presence
And the report stated, "The Internal Security Forces continue to rely on about 2,500 American advisors and international coalitions in the wake of the war against ISIS, but officials say that this mission will likely not continue indefinitely."
He explained that "in 2020-2021, the United States withdrew approximately half of its anti-ISIS forces in Iraq and reinforced operations advisors at headquarters before publicly announcing the end of the combat role of the United States in Iraq."
According to US officials, part of this week's discussions at the Pentagon was aimed at defining mutually agreed parameters for moving to the final stage of the defeat-ISIS mission.
The Al-Monitor report quoted a high-ranking US military official as saying before the meetings, “Over time, I think you will notice that as the mission progresses, you will notice that things shrink.”
However, the report considered that the Iraqi forces are still suffering from corruption and are unable so far to carry out simultaneous joint operations, relying only on their own intelligence.
He added, "The Iraqi army continues to rely on weapons from the Soviet era in a mixture with American weapons and other advanced foreign weapons that have proven difficult to maintain and operate."
In this context, the report mentioned, with a statement by General MacFarlane, in which he said, "We are witnessing an improvement over time in their (Iraqis') ability to search, repair and finish independently using their aircraft and F-16s," but only 66% of these Iraqi aircraft are capable of The implementation of the tasks, according to what the report of the inspector general of the Pentagon indicates.
According to the inspector general's report, "the Iraqi Air Force also lacks air-to-ground targeting coordination and relies on US-led coalition forces to identify targets in all air strikes involving the use of guided munitions."
The army, the Peshmerga, and the crowd
The report pointed out that "the budget indicates an increase in the number and financing of the Popular Mobilization Forces, it also calls for reducing the size of the elite anti-terrorist apparatus by about 4 thousand elements, or more than 14% of the elite force, while Washington says that the apparatus is operating only by 43%." of many.”
At the same time, the report said, "The Peshmerga brigades are still divided despite their reliance on American funding channels." The report quoted Jonathan Lord, a researcher at the Center for a New American Security, as saying: "The Kurdish forces are likely to disintegrate on the day the funds run dry." .
Al-Monitor's report concluded by noting that US officials are likely to resume attacks on US sites in Syria and Iraq by pro-Iranian factions, unless al-Sudani obtains some external indications of progress regarding the demands of these factions to end the presence of US forces in Iraq.
Plasschaert's visit to Iran sparks discontent in Iraq: Tehran's influence "has reached the highest levels"
Iraqi parties and specialists in political affairs in the country raised controversy about the movements of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Iraq , head of the mission, Jeanine Blaskhart , and while some criticized those movements, which corresponded to what they called "neglect" of the UN role and the tasks entrusted to it inside Iraq, others emphasized that the role of the UN envoy Mysterious and incomprehensible in the country.
Last week, Blaskhart paid a visit to Iran, where she discussed many files, including those related to the security situation inside Iraq, the borders between the two countries, environmental files, water, and others.
In the statement, the mission described the visit, as "it comes as part of the mission's work to facilitate dialogue and cooperation between countries in the region, and it is in line with the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) to facilitate regional dialogue and cooperation on a number of issues to support Iraq." While the UN representative held a meeting with the Iranian ambassador in Baghdad, Muhammad Kazem Al Sadiq, and discussed with him the latest political developments in Iraq.
The UN envoy's moves faced political controversy, as some considered them evidence of Iran's current role and interference in Iraqi affairs, politically, security and even economically.
According to a member of the "Sovereignty" coalition, Hassan al-Jubouri, "It is important for the envoy to carry out her official duties inside the country, rather than her visits to Tehran."
Al-Jubouri confirmed to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that “Iraqi files still need UN and international action, perhaps the most prominent of which is the return of the displaced to their areas of origin, and urgent humanitarian files, such as poverty, drugs, militia control over Iraqi regions and preventing the return of its people to it, and they really need a UN role.” more".
And he stressed that "the humanitarian role of Blaskhart should have focused on such issues, and postponing the discussion of political and security files and so on."
Iranian influence "reached the highest levels"
But political activist Umar Farouk confirmed that "Plasschaert's movement and her visit to Iran is to be expected, especially since she is known to change her agenda from the far right to the far left. Therefore, Plasschaert's praise of the Iranian side seems a natural move for her."
Farouk explained to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that "Iranian influence in Iraq seems to have reached the highest levels, to the extent that it no longer concerns Iraqi positions. The UN or the diplomat in Iraq needs Iranian support, and this is an unfortunate issue."
Postman
Iraqi politician Ahmed Al-Abyad confirmed that Plasschaert "favors countries that influence Iraq," and said in a phone call to "The New Arab" that "Plasschaert usually speaks in international conferences about the dangers of uncontrolled weapons and militias in Iraq, and their effects on civilian life in the country, But when she visited Iran, she did not open these issues, and therefore her role sometimes favors the international and internal parties that influence Iraq, and increases the power of the influential and the parties that deal with our country through feudal mechanisms.
Al-Abyadh pointed out that "Iraqi-Iranian relations at the present time are excellent, and they do not need Blashardt to strengthen them, especially since the ruling coalition, which is the coordination framework, contains the majority of parties, parties and factions that run the state, but Blashardt may be playing the role of a messenger or postman." For complex files, including Iran's relationship with the rest of the parties in the Arab region, such as the Gulf states.
Positive" visit
On the other hand, a member of the Foreign Relations Committee in the Iraqi Parliament, Amer Al-Fayez, defended Plasschaert's visit to Iran, and said that it "comes within the tasks assigned to the UNAMI mission in Iraq, and it carried Iraqi files and discussed Iranian files, and it carried an international character, because Iran is a true partner Iraq, and it has a common economic and security relationship, so the dimensions of this visit are positive for Iraq.
Al-Fayez pointed out that "UNAMI in Iraq sees great importance in stabilizing Iraq and strengthening its relations with its neighbors."
He added, "Iraq supports all international moves, whether from the United Nations or embassies, as well as organizations supported by foreign governments, and the moves are public."
Shaho al-Qardaghi, a researcher on Iraqi political affairs, criticized Plasschaert's moves, pointing out that "after the recent decline in Plasschaert's activities, a visit is being made to Iran under the pretext of researching the stability of Iraq, and a few days later she met with the Iranian ambassador in Baghdad to discuss the removal of Iran's armed opposition groups from Iraq." . He asked, "What is the nature of its roles, and is it really in the interest of Iraq and the Iraqis?"
The head of the United Nations Mission in Iraq, Jeanine Plasschaert, had previously faced a wave of widespread political and popular criticism in Iraq, following a meeting with the Iranian Supreme Leader's advisor for international affairs, Ali Akbar Velayati, in Tehran, to discuss the Iraqi elections in 2021. Her movements and meetings with militia leaders also The armed factions active in Iraq are a matter of controversy in Iraqi circles, and they are what surrounds their role in the country with ambiguity and lack of clarity.
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