Iraq returns to the World Trade Organization 14 years after its expulsion
link so are they in or not?
This video explains the articles posted here about the World Trade Organization
Iraq is preparing
for a major change in the trade file with the countries of the world and is preparing to exceed the limits set for Iraqi goods, with its return to the World Trade Organization 14 years after it was expelled as a result of its failure to adhere to the organization’s meetings.
The head of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s mission to the World Trade Organization/the Saudi Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization and responsible for the file of Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization, Saqr al-Muqbel, visited Iraq today, Monday, and delivered a speech in which he reviewed the importance of joining the World Trade Organization.
Al-Muqbil said in a press conference followed by Al-Iqtisad News, “I find Iraq’s accession to be a serious message from Iraq to the whole world, that Iraq is continuing its path of engagement with the whole world,” adding: “I find myself among my loved ones and brothers to do everything we have for your participation.” “The Kingdom’s successful experience in joining the World Trade Organization.”
He explained, "The Kingdom joined the World Trade Organization in 2005, and our non-oil merchandise exports amounted to about 18 billion dollars, and exports have now reached 84 billion dollars with the world," noting that "the Kingdom's service exports alone amounted to about 11 billion dollars in 2005 and have now reached more than 34 billion dollars.
He pointed out that "these achievements depend on Iraq's signals to join and accelerate its pace to find Iraq in its usual position and as one of the largest economies in the Arab region and the Middle East."
For his part, the Iraqi Minister of Commerce, Atheer Al-Ghurairi, said, “Iraq is taking steps to return as a strong economic player by opening relations with Arab countries and all countries of the world,” noting that “today, within a year, we were able to finalize three files and submit them to the committee related to Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization.” global trade in goods and services.
He stated that "Iraq joined as an observer in the World Trade Organization in 2004, and in 2009 Iraq stopped meetings and reached the point of being removed from the organization, and last year 2023, through continuous work on that and with the help of Saudi Arabia and the head of the Saudi mission in the organization, Iraq returned as an observer to the organization." Global trade, and we accomplished in one year the equivalent of more than 15 years’ work.”
Regarding the benefit of joining, Al-Ghurairi explained, “It means that the Iraqi economy enjoys any specifications enjoyed by world economies, but this does not replace the necessity of internal reform.”
He stated that "opening the doors to Iraqi goods and trade exchange through global controls will protect Iraq from entering the global market with its weight in the event that it fulfills its requirements and that our production is international and not local," noting that "Iraqi goods are now not allowed to go outside certain borders, and joining is possible." To reach the farthest country in the world.”
this goes with it
Saudi Arabia: The Iraqi government is serious about creating a safe environment, investment climate, and economic reform
The head of the mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the head of the team concerned with Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization, Saqr Abdullah Al-Muqbel, confirmed on Monday that the Iraqi government is serious about creating a safe environment, investment climate, and economic reform, pointing out that there is a political will for Iraq to join the World Trade Organization.
Al-Muqbil said in a conference held with the Minister of Commerce, Atheer Al-Ghurairi, in the ministry’s building, which Al-Eqtisad News reviewed, that “there is a serious will that we sense today from the Iraqi government towards creating an environment, an investment climate, and a safe economic reform that will benefit Iraq and the region to enjoy lasting stability and peace as a basic foundation for the region’s advancement.” And its economy,” indicating that “Iraq is continuing its path towards engaging with the multilateral international community and building a real trade partnership that benefits the Iraqi economy, the region, and the entire world.”
He added, “We are proud to see Iraq as one of the largest economies that is still outside the multilateral trading system,” pointing out that “with the keenness of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and the directives of his Crown Prince, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prime Minister, and the direct supervision and follow-up of the Minister of Commerce.” Chairman of the General Authority for Foreign Trade, Majid Al-Qasabi, I find myself among my loved ones and brothers to do everything we have in order to also share with you the Kingdom’s successful experience in joining the World Trade Organization and advancing its competitive advantages with the entire world,” explaining that “the achievements that the Kingdom achieved upon its accession to the World Trade Organization In 2005, it is at Iraq's disposal to advance its experience in joining the World Organization and accelerate its pace so that we find Iraq in its usual position and one of the largest economies in the Arab region and the Middle East region.
He stated, "There is a political will that we find today in Iraq, and the Kingdom is succeeding in mobilizing the support it requires at the national, regional, and international levels so that we can celebrate together Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization."
The President of the Republic to a Saudi delegation: Iraq is keen to join the World Trade Organization
link this one leaves even more doubt so I don't think they are in just yet
A statement from his office, a copy of which {Al-Furat News} received, stated: “At the beginning of the meeting, the Saudi ambassador conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the president and their wishes to the Iraqi people for further progress and prosperity.” While Rashid conveyed to the ambassador his greetings to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and to the Crown Prince, and his wishes to the Saudi people for further prosperity and development.
Irshid stressed, "Iraq's keenness to join the organization by achieving the commercial and economic standards required in this regard," praising "the role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in bringing viewpoints closer and pushing towards establishing stability and peace in the region," praising "the efforts made by the team concerned with Iraq's accession to the WTO." International and its meetings with the National Committee for the purpose of accelerating the completion of this file and in a way that contributes to the development of the trade system and the achievement of stability and sustainable development.
He pointed out "the importance of benefiting from the experience of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in this aspect," referring to "the positive developments in Iraq that have had a positive impact on the lives of Iraqis as a whole," stressing that "the government has attached importance to establishing security and stability, developing economic activity, and encouraging foreign investment in the country." And to consolidate relations with neighboring countries and the world,” noting that “Iraq was an active member in most international organizations.”
In turn, the Saudi ambassador affirmed the Kingdom’s keenness to support Iraq in international forums and stand by its side in enhancing security stability, development and progress in the economic and energy fields, noting that “Iraq is moving forward towards the process of reform, development and progress in various fields.”
For his part, Saqr Al-Muqbel reviewed the results of his meetings in Baghdad, which took place with the Iraqi National Committee for the Republic of Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization, expressing his “satisfaction with the steps taken by Iraq in order to implement the required standards, and affirming his country’s support for Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization.”
The head of the concerned team stated that "Iraq's accession to the organization is a gain for the region and the world, and will contribute to developing and expanding the progress achieved in financial services and improving the foreign investment environment."
The Minister of Commerce announces the completion of three files related to Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization
link so I think they made more progress but have a bit more to go
The Minister of Commerce, Atheer Al-Ghurairi, announced today, Monday, the completion of three files related to Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization, while indicating that Iraq will be an influential player in the international economic system.
Al-Ghurairi said in a conference attended by the correspondent of the Iraqi News Agency (INA): “The visit of the head of the mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the head of the team concerned with Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization, Ambassador Saqr Abdullah Al-Muqbel, to Iraq is important and is a serious expression and signals that Iraq is continuing with its obligations according to the platform.” It is a solid government program whose steps are calculated through promising plans that have begun to bear fruit,” indicating “the importance of Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization, which comes through a working group in an international committee concerned with accession, which is the committee concerned with the accession of concerned countries to global trade, headed by the Ministry of Commerce and the head of the technical team is the ambassador.” “Known historically for seriousness, it is also a good sign of the development of relations and the sincerity of intentions of the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its good initiatives as a people and government under the leadership of this team.”
He added, "The team will take real steps that will shorten the path to Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization and benefit from the advantages offered by this accession. It will be part of the organized group to enjoy the privileges. It is also a solid step essential to building a solid Iraqi economy whose steps began with the government program and the ministerial approach and will be completed by the hands of the Iraqis and with the help of Iraqis." "Siblings."
He stated that "what the team accomplished within one year after Iraq joined the World Trade Organization as an observer in 2004, the meetings and work of this team continued until 2009, but since that year this file has been disrupted and we have reached the expulsion and suspension of observer status from the World Trade Organization. However, it is Within the government program and ministerial platform, Iraq will return to being a strong economic player, as well as an important and positive international political player, and to open relations with Arab countries and all countries of the world.”
He stated that "the team was able, within one year, to complete three files and submit them to the committee for final negotiation and approval, including those related to the file of trade in goods and services, as well as plant health and other files," pointing out that "with our selection to head the team, Saqr Abdullah Al-Muqbel, is that there is a new phase." "For this team to perform positively."
He stressed that "Iraq cannot be outside the international economic system, but rather it will be a player and influencer in it, and through reforms on the ground, the fruits of which our people will reap soon."
He stressed that "the signs of these measures and improving the business and investment environment will bring great benefit to
our people and the economy of our country."
Liberating the dinar from the official rate... Obstacles and solutions
this is an older article not sure why this website is re running it that headline got a lot in dinarland excitied but we're still here
Nader did a video on it so it will make the rounds again
good information for those that don't know this information
With the return of fluctuations in the dinar exchange rates, there is renewed talk about the necessity of getting rid of the “official price” with the aim of reducing the difference with the price in the parallel market, by subjecting the local currency to global supply and demand, similar to other countries, but many obstacles stand in the way of this step, among them “ The unilateralism of the Iraqi economy, which relies on oil and government revenues, and the absence of correspondent banks in the dinar currency, according to specialists, also called for taking other possible solutions, such as “deleting the zeros” from the currency, and withdrawing the cash mass from citizens and transferring it to banks.
Mazhar Muhammad Salih, financial advisor to the Prime Minister, says, “The Iraqi dinar’s exchange rate follows a system of fixed exchange rates, and that the process of approving the exchange rate is one of the monetary policy tasks of the Central Bank of Iraq as it is the independent body, especially since Iraq depends primarily on oil sources that provide... Foreign currency, and therefore oil revenues are transferred to the Central Bank of Iraq, and reserves follow the exchange mechanism between the dinar and the dollar, given that the Central Bank is the source of exchange between them.”
The dollar exchange rates in the local market witnessed great fluctuation during the past days, as it suddenly decreased to 148 thousand dinars per 100 dollars, and quickly rose again to 150 thousand dinars, and then continued to fluctuate until it reached 154 thousand dinars per 100 dollars, after its price was approaching... About 157 thousand dinars.
Saleh adds, “The balance and stability of the price in flexible exchange systems requires a financial and banking market, in which interest rates play a major role in the inflows and outflows of foreign currency, and this is something that is not available in Iraq, and the mono-economy is dependent on the inflows of foreign currency.” On government oil revenues, and here the forces of supply and demand are inconsistent with the unilateralism of the economy.”
He continues, "The economy is sometimes exposed to a large deficit in the current account and the balance of payments, and the general budget is also exposed to a deficit. Here loans are resorted to and governments are forced to reduce the national currency until foreign currency becomes expensive. This is called financing from inflation, and despite the fact that This conflicts with the policy of the Central Bank, but is done in consultation with monetary and fiscal policies.”
He points out that “the function of the central bank in general is to maintain the exchange rate and its stability for a long period, but this relates to the nature of the current account and the balance of payments, and whether there is a surplus or a long-term or stable deficit, as well as the nature of the budget, is it expansionary or contractionary, so the The issue is not easy, as all we need in the exchange rate is a circle of consultation and communication between monetary and financial policies to maintain its stability.”
It is noteworthy that since the beginning of the exchange rate crisis more than two years ago, many options have been put forward to control it, including printing new denominations of cash, including 100 thousand dinars, or deleting three zeros to control the rise in the value of numbers in monetary transactions.
Since the 1990s, and during the imposition of the economic blockade on it, Iraq has suffered from significant inflation in the currency, which prompted the previous regime to go to print the currency locally, and after the year 2003, the previous currency was destroyed and new denominations were issued, and its exchange rate against the dollar was fixed, by decree. From the civil governor of Iraq at the time, Paul Bremer, who revealed the shape of the new currency and its exchange rate against the dollar.
For his part, economic expert Nasser Al-Kinani explains, “With regard to the fluctuation of the dinar, the central bank was selling the dinar for 1,118 per dollar, and then it changed since the arrival of former Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi to power and the appearance of the white paper, as its price rose and became 1,450 dinars, in addition to This caused the Iraqi dinar to rise until it currently reached 1,530 dinars per dollar in the local market, but despite this, solutions can be developed for this problem.”
He explains that "the solutions revolve around reprinting the currency again and zeroing it, especially if the printing process is accompanied by the process of retrieving the money stored inside homes to the banks. Hence, it is possible to stabilize the Iraqi dinar by giving the banks a percentage for each citizen who owns an account or opens an account within the bank, for example, 10 percent, which would be 10 percent." As a deposit for the citizen in the bank.”
He continues, "The above steps will lead to solving the import issue that the government is suffering from now, and it is trying to control it to limit the smuggling process. Stabilizing the currency and revitalizing local industry and agriculture will, in general, lead to solving all economic and currency problems."
According to the Central Bank of Iraq website, Iraq includes 80 operating banks, including 62 local banks and 18 banks that are branches of foreign banks.
It is noteworthy that the Iraqi banking sector is neglected by citizens who have lost confidence in it, and according to World Bank figures issued last year, only 23 percent of Iraqi families have an account in a financial institution, which is a percentage among the lowest in the Arab world, especially since the owners of those Accountants are state employees whose salaries are distributed to public banks at the end of each month, but these salaries also do not remain in the accounts for long, as queues quickly form in front of banks from employees who withdraw their salaries in cash and prefer to keep them at home.
For his part, financial and economic expert Mustafa Akram Hantoush explains, “The local Iraqi currency is printed by the state and gives its value in exchange for other currencies or gold, that is, currencies or metals in the global supply and demand market.”
Hantoush points out, “The currencies that are exposed to the supply and demand market are currencies that have countries that have correspondent banks for their currencies, for example the dollar. There are banks that correspond in dollars so that the whole world receives and trades them, and therefore such a currency is considered a flexible currency with variable prices.”
He continues, "The Iraqi dinar had correspondent banks in a global currency that was dealt with in the field of global trade, and here the demand for it will become higher and the value of the dinar will rise. However, Iraq as a country does not currently have correspondent banks, so the national currency it owns is a local currency and is not subject to supply and demand." Global, as it is a currency issued for other currencies, and the process in it is fixed and does not rise to be a global process.”
It is noteworthy that Washington entered into the crisis of dollar smuggling last year, and Iraq was subjected to the global SWIFT system, which created a gap between the parallel and official market, and increased the loss of confidence in Iraqi banks, as dozens were subjected to American and Iraqi sanctions without processing depositors’ funds, in addition to the involvement of... Most banks are currently engaged in smuggling operations, according to what the US Treasury Department confirmed.
n Monday, January 15, 2024, the President of the Republic, Abdul Latif Rashid, received at Baghdad Palace the Saudi Ambassador to Iraq, Abdul Aziz Al-Shammari, the representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the World Trade Organization, the head of the team concerned with Iraq’s accession to the World Trade Organization, Saqr Al-Muqbel, and the delegation. accompanying them.
Iraq was an active member of most international organizations
According to a statement from his office seen by Ultra Iraq, the President of the Republic affirmed, “Iraq’s keenness to join the organization by achieving the commercial and economic standards required in this regard,” praising “the role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in converging viewpoints and pushing towards establishing stability and peace in the region.” He appreciated "the efforts made by the team concerned with Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization and its meetings with the National Committee for the purpose of accelerating the completion of this file and in a way that contributes to the development of the trade system and the achievement of stability and sustainable development."
Rashid touched on "the positive developments in Iraq, which have had a positive impact on the overall lives of Iraqis," stressing that "the government has attached importance to establishing security and stability, developing economic activity, encouraging foreign investment in the country, and consolidating relations with neighboring countries and the world."
In turn, the Saudi ambassador affirmed “the Kingdom’s keenness to support Iraq in international forums and stand by its side in enhancing security stability, development and progress in the economic and energy fields,” noting that “Iraq is moving forward towards the process of reform, development and progress in various fields,” according to the presidential statement.
Saqr Al-Muqbel reviewed "the results of his meetings in Baghdad, which took place with the Iraqi National Committee for the Republic of Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization," expressing "his satisfaction with the steps taken by Iraq in order to implement the required standards."
The President of the Republic affirmed "his country's support for Iraq's accession to the international organization," indicating that "Iraq's accession to the organization is a gain for the region and the world, and will contribute to developing and expanding the progress achieved in financial services and improving the foreign investment environment."
Don’t leave money on the table. ($75, to be exact.)
A 5 Star bank is offering a free online bank account with a debit card that pays $25 to the enrollee and $75 "commission" to everyone that refers someone to the account.
So YOU set up your account and receive your OWN $25 and then you will set up your family and friends and THEY will all get the same $25 and YOU get $75 for everyone that gets the $25.
It does take $10 to sign up for the account, and it has to come from a debit card (checking account) connected to you, but the $10 is available immediately in your account to use. So it's actually free to get your $25 but you need to have $10 available to set it up.
Yes it's true and it works and I have done it MYSELF!
Click this link below:
link
https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cZVDfeVJXuj
Video on Chinese TV
Other Articles from the weekend Jan 13th thru Jan 15th 2024
A precise breakdown of monetary policy in Iraq
link based on this definition are they failing hahaha
The economic and financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, explained today, Sunday, the mechanism of monetary policy in Iraq.Saleh said {to Al-Furat News} that: “The monetary policy works to ensure that the price of the dollar in the parallel market is close to the nominal price through procedures and measures by using its operational objectives, whether {quantitative} of them, that is, by controlling and sterilizing surplus liquidity opportunities with high flexibility.”
He added, "Or the {price} that requires effective use of the exchange rate and interest rate signals in order to maintain the superiority of the Iraqi dinar, stabilize its value in the overall economy, and minimize the role of the secondary exchange market, which must approach the central exchange rate of 1,320 dinars per dollar."
Saleh added, "Providing the national market with consumer and intermediate commodity products and supplies with stable prices will be among the government's import priorities, whenever necessary, in order to achieve a balance between supply and demand and achieve price stability for basic and important commodities, in accordance with the requirements of a stable standard of living."
Qi Card Company invites those returning to the Ministry of Defense to receive their smart cards
Today, Sunday, the International Smart Card Company (Ki Card) issued an official invitation to all those returning to the Ministry of Defense whose contracts were terminated to review and receive their smart cards.The announcement addressed to the returnees stated: “We ask you to visit the Rafidain Bank branches and issuing centers in Baghdad and other governorates to obtain a MasterCard, which will be approved as a means of receiving your salaries in the future.”The company added: Returnees are requested to visit the designated branches for the purpose of issuing smart cards and ensuring the effective receipt of their salaries.
Electronic payment...a new obstacle to the registrar of companies and accelerating transactions (video)
A new obstacle witnessed by electronic payment before the Registrar of Companies and the acceleration of transactions in Iraq.
Today, Sunday (January 14, 2024), one of the Iraqi departments witnessed long queues and chaos in front of the Registrar of Companies and the acceleration of transactions.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=d8Ub4muxRWc Electronic payment is a system for making or settling payments without the need to use cash. This system has many advantages, the most important of which is eliminating corruption, fraud and direct bribery in government institutions, ease of trading, raising cash deposit rates in banks and other benefits .
But Iraq's transition to this globally applicable system is not without fraud, whether by merchants when citizens shop, or by collecting additional sums under the pretext of the withholding fees currently in effect, especially since the society's culture of electronic payment is weak .
Accordingly, the Petroleum Products Distribution Company, affiliated with the Ministry of Oil, has set the end of next March as a deadline for cash transactions at government and private fuel filling stations.
On January 7, the Prime Minister, Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani, directed that citizens be spared additional financial burdens resulting from commissions, during a meeting devoted to following up on the financial and economic transformation to electronic payment, points of sale, and financial trading using electronic cards (POS).
Al-Sudani confirmed, according to a statement issued by his media office, that the goal is to facilitate dealing and facilitate payment in all fields, while ensuring the highest levels of security.
Earlier in June 2023, the Central Bank of Iraq announced the entry into force of Council of Ministers Resolution No. (23044) for the year 2023, which aims to increase the number of electronic payment devices (POS) in government institutions and the private sector to enhance the culture of electronic payment and collection, and reduce the use of paper money in Collection and commercial transactions .
It is noteworthy that the Board of Directors of the Central Bank of Iraq decided, on December 13, to establish the “National Company for Electronic Payment Systems” throughout the country, indicating that the company represents a qualitative development in the structure of the country’s financial infrastructure .
According to the Iraqi Central Bank statement, this step coincides with the rapid growth in electronic financial services and products and the rise in the number of users in accordance with the framework of the government program to support and adopt advanced electronic payment systems.
In the document.. The Central Bank allows borrowers in foreign currencies to pay in Iraqi dinars
text of the document
Banks that approve all loans in the US dollar currency
good greeting...
Based on the decision of the Board of Directors of this bank No. (6) of 2024, taken at its session numbered 1646 six hundred and forty-six thousand, held on 1/2/2024.
Decide the following:
. Borrowers in foreign currencies from private and government banks are allowed to repay in Iraqi dinars and according to the official exchange rate determined by the Central Bank of Iraq, provided that this bank reinforces the banks’ accounts in dollars for the purposes of external transfer and at the official exchange rate according to their need for that, or to repay in the same borrowing currency. This decision applies to loans that were disbursed before 1/1/2024
2. Banks are allowed to grant loans in foreign currencies to borrowers who have sufficient income in foreign currencies to repay the loan amount in the same currency.
with respect.
Economist: The Iraqi Central Bank returns to the forefront with a new strange decision!
Economic researcher, Ziad Al-Hashemi, said on Sunday that the Central Bank opened a new door to withdraw the dollar under the pretext of “borrowing” and then repaid the value of these dollar loans in dinars and at the official rate, without specifying any controls or standards that control dollar borrowing operations, which makes it a potential method. To receive the dollar and smuggle it or sell it for cash at the parallel price, and then repay its value at the official price and profit from the price differences.
Al-Hashemi stated in a post on the “X” platform, that “the Iraqi Central Bank returns to the forefront with a new strange decision, as many were optimistic about the recent steps of the Iraqi Central Bank and considered them (reform) measures that will contribute to supporting the dinar, controlling the leakage of national hard currency, and stabilizing exchange rates, but It seems that the management of the Central Bank wants to raise controversy, suspicions and speculation again, through some strange decisions.”
He explained, “The Central Bank opened a new door to withdraw the dollar under the pretext of (borrowing) and then repaid the value of these dollar loans in dinars and at the official rate (according to the book below), and this book (according to its wording) does not specify any important controls or standards that control dollar borrowing operations, which This makes it a potential way to receive the dollar and smuggle it or sell it for cash at the parallel price, and then repay its value at the official price and profit from the price differences.”
He stated, “This potential fraudulent exploitation of the Iraqi dollar will refuel the smuggling and money laundering networks with cash dollars, and will increase the wealth of speculative parties (already wealthy) in dollars through differences in exchange rates.”
The economic researcher called on “the Central Bank to reconsider this book and discuss its potential repercussions on the Iraqi markets and economy, and to amend it in a way that preserves Iraqi funds and does not provoke the Fed again.”
From Jan 15th 2024
Instructions and standards for the circulation and exchange of banknotes and counting and sorting mechanisms
Instructions and standards for circulation and exchange of banknotes, and counting and sorting mechanisms .. For more, click here
The document is 11 pages I will have it translated shortly though
cover letter says this
Date: 1/15/2024
All licensed banks provide instructions and standards for the circulation and exchange of banknotes and counting and sorting mechanisms
Kind regards.... Later, with our circular No. 2/9/20 dated 1/15/2023 regarding unifying and updating the controls and instructions for the standards for the circulation and replacement of banknotes, we attach to you the principles, standards and instructions that will be adopted in
Counting, sorting, receiving and delivering banknotes, we hope to carry out.
Please review and act accordingly, with appreciation.
Escorts
Instructions and standards for the circulation and exchange of banknotes and counting and sorting mechanisms.
Mr. Dr. Ammar Hamad Khalaf
Page 1
The Central Bank of Iraq, in accordance with its amended Law No. 56 of 2004, is responsible for determining the denominations of Iraqi paper and metal currencies, their standards and shapes, printing paper banknotes, and minting coins. It is responsible for destroying and replacing them and identifying defective ones, and it may refuse to replace those paper or metal currencies or They will be confiscated if the conditions described in these instructions are met and that the Iraqi banknotes are homogeneous in their various denominations, have absolute discharge power and are accepted by the Central Bank of Iraq, its branches, banks, institutions and the public. Discriminating between their denominations by imposing a specific denomination on the public or refusing to receive a specific denomination is unlawful. It is acceptable and is considered a violation of the law. We ask all banks to adhere to the instructions and standards for trading banknotes And replace them with counting and sorting mechanisms as shown below:
1 - Standards for trading in banknotes: A- Negotiable banknotes The banknote issued by the Central Bank of Iraq remains valid for circulation if it is exposed to any of the following: First: If one or more tears occur in it, not exceeding (3) cm, and it is repaired with a transparent adhesive tape on one side. Or from two sides and it did not affect its features.
Second: If it is damaged, one of its corners will be cut within a limit of 2 cm without affecting its features.
Third: If it shows traces of handling and use, and has not been harmed or damaged that affects its shape, color, or size.
B. Non-negotiable banknotes ﹀
(1) If the banknote is worn out or damaged even though it is not torn and no parts of it are missing.
(2) If the paper consists of two parts with different numbers and its area is close to the area of the banknote The original one is attached with adhesive tape.
(3) If the banknote is attached with one or more transparent adhesive tape along its length or width.
(4) If the banknote has cuts at more than one angle.
(5) If the banknote is defective in terms of design, size, color, or other security marks That the real banknote carries.
(1) If it contains seals or writings that do not affect its external appearance.
(7) If the banknote loses less than 50% of its area. Central Bank of Iraq Issuing Department and Pub (1001)
Pg 2
Second - Damaged banknotes as a result of burning, burial, or any other reason: Damaged banknotes are received as a result of burning, burial, or any other reason not mentioned in the paragraph.
(1) / B First) exclusively by this bank and its branches according to the following mechanism:
1- Required documents
A- Civil status ID, unified card, department ID, and residence card. b. Confirmation from the police station or a judicial authority in the event that banknotes are damaged as a result of being exposed to a gunshot or
Contaminated with blood as a result of accidents.
C: Provide the source of funds as follows: -
- What exceeds (100,000,000) dinars (ten) million dinars) and up to (25,000,000) dinars (twenty-five million dinars), the ID of the department is required if the employee is an employee or the salary tape shows the amount of income and the length of service or something that proves the existence of a source of income that is compatible with the size of the desired amount. To replace it, the winner must submit proof of his practice of his profession, a professional practice permit from the competent sectoral authorities, a shop lease contract, or an annual production or non-production car.
This proves the existence of a source of income commensurate with the size of the amount.
- What exceeds (25,000,000) dinars (twenty-five million dinars) and up to (100,000,000) dinars.
One hundred million dinars and requires submitting documents of ownership of real estate, shares, a sales contract, or any official documents
Prove the legitimacy of the source of these funds (company title deed, partnership, contracting or equipment contract) as appropriate
The size of the amount offered. - In the event that the required documents submitted are not satisfied due to their authenticity or lack of proportionality and the size of the amount provided, the applicant will be referred to the Legal Department for the purpose of submitting a written pledge under which he bears legal and criminal responsibility for the accuracy of the information provided and that these funds came from legitimate sources and are not linked to any
Illegal action or suspicious operations. Collecting a percentage (15%) of the value of damaged banknotes for the benefit of this bank, due to damage as a result of misuse, burial, burning or any other reason, with the exception of banknotes damaged as a result of circulation, which will be replaced.
Without commission. - If it is not possible to count the damaged banknotes, they will be estimated by a committee formed for this purpose and issued
The committee makes its decision within fifteen working days.
Central age
And the treasures
(10-2)
Issuance department
pg 3
Confiscation of damaged banknotes:
The damaged banknotes that are not fit for circulation, described below, shall be confiscated, and their holder or the party that presented them shall be notified of the decision to confiscate them. Anyone whose banknotes have been rejected or confiscated has the right to submit a request to the Governor or whomever he authorizes through the General Director of Issuance and Treasury or the General Director of the Bank Branch to reconsider the issue.
The decision, and the decision of the governor or his authorized representative shall be final - A - If changes are made to the external appearance of the banknote as a result of writing, drawing, printing or seals.
Or it contains an adhesive. B If the banknote loses 50% or more of its area, and if there is evidence that convinces the Central Bank that
The missing parts of the papers have been completely destroyed, and they will be replaced partially or completely.
Confiscation of counterfeit and perforated papers
The counterfeit papers shall be confiscated, and whoever was in possession of them shall be provided with a receipt confirming the receipt of these papers, by the cashier or a competent employee in the Central Bank of Iraq and its branches, and all banks and their branches, and the details shall be recorded (the number of counterfeit papers, their categories, the name of the depositing customer whose creations appeared, and his account number in Recorded by the cashier.
B. The confiscated counterfeit papers shall be stamped with the counterfeit stamp bearing the name of the bank and branch and sent to the Central Bank in an official letter containing the information in Paragraph (A) above.
C - Banknotes perforated with four holes in one banknote, which leaked from the invalidated banknotes prepared for destruction in our branch (Mosul), will be confiscated after the terrorist gangs’ occupation in 2014 of the headquarters of the same branch, where the holes were pasted for the purpose of promoting it, as shown in Appendix No. (1). The banking system confiscated them
And delivered to the Central Bank of Iraq. Mechanism for counting and sorting banknotes in banks
A: Banks must prepare counting and sorting centers with an area appropriate to the size of their deposits, and they must strive to acquire modern mechanization and update it continuously to ensure the counting and sorting of banknotes they receive from their customers, while employing qualified workers to do so, provided that we are provided with the preparation and types of machines used by the public administration and its branches.
B: Banks send their cash creations to the vaults of this bank and its branches after counting them, sorting them, and separating the damaged ones into good-quality packed bags that are closed using sewing machines designated for sewing the bags. Additional tape should be placed when sewing to increase the durability of the bag, with an adhesive tape whose color matches the color of the category that was packed. How to store the bag, and place an identification card on the bag describing its contents of banknotes, the name of the bank, and the type of person who packed the bag, along with listing the deposit date, whether on the bag or the card.
And the gharifs
(2-10)
Release date
Page 4
It is preferable to fill each bag with the name of one cashier. It contains (40) bundles, and each bundle contains (1,000) papers that are tightly tied on both sides using machines designated for this purpose. Each bundle contains (10) bundles, and each bundle contains (100 papers and two cards). Two identification papers on the first (100) paper and the last (100) paper stamped with a seal bearing the name of the bank, the full name of one treasurer, the type of denomination and the date, and in case
If there is more than one cashier's name in one bag, the differences will be recorded at the bank. C It is not possible to determine the name of a treasurer for discrepancies discovered in bank deposits if the counting and sorting operations are carried out
In this bank it was done through comprehensive machines. D. The filling of each bag will be (40) bags in two patterns, as follows: - First: The denominations (1000, 50000, 250,500) dinars will be vertically (7) bags for five rows, so the number will become (35) bags, while the remaining five bags will be two. Including it horizontally on both sides and three
The rest are in the middle vertically, so the number becomes (40) ties.
Second: Denominations (5000, 10000, 25000) dinars. The base is (4) ties horizontally in two rows and the height is (10) ties, so that the total number of ties in the bag is (40) ties.
E - For regulatory purposes, banks are obligated to inform the Central Bank of the date and amount of deposits in the two currencies
(domestic and foreign).
Banks must open windows to replace damaged or damaged banknotes to the public, and announce this
Through information signs and advertisements, organizing a special register for damaged currency, delivering it to this bank and its branches, promoting circulation in small denomination banknotes, and supplying all bank branches with them. G - Banks deposit damaged banknotes received from their customers or from the general public in any quantity, even if it is a single banknote, provided that they are well sorted and actually damaged, and are sent with letters indicating their condition and amounts according to a delivery schedule determined by the issuing department. And safes are exempt from counting and sorting fees. If there are negotiable banknotes in your damaged deposits in large quantities, this is considered a banking violation for which the bank will be held accountable and the counting and sorting operations fees will be charged on the entire deposited amount.
H. Those authorized to visit this bank will be nominated by the Issuing and Treasury Department according to the electronic nomination form prepared for this purpose, provided that the time period for authorization is one year, to be renewed upon expiration of the period.
When the authorized person changes, we will be notified in an official letter. Correspondence with this bank shall be signed by the General Manager of government banks, the authorized director in relation to private banks, and the regional director in relation to the foreign branch or their representative in the event
Focus
House and fires
(4-10)
more to come later
pg 5
Page 5
E - The mechanism for counting and sorting banknotes in the Central Bank of Iraq:
A- Fines imposed on discrepancies discovered in your deposits of Iraqi banknotes are calculated as follows
following:
First: The discovered increase in the bank’s deposits to its current account is recorded.
Second: The discovered deficiency in the bank’s deposits is recorded on its current account, and a fine is imposed in the manner determined by the bank from the value of the banknotes (the deficiency). The fine rate is currently set at (100%) of the amount.
The value of the banknotes and compensation for the shortfall from his account or in cash.
Third: In the event that counterfeit papers are discovered among the bank deposits, if they are identical or inconsistent in denomination
The declared amount will be confiscated and a decrease will be recorded in both cases (more or less than 100 papers). The percentage of the fine will be recorded in the manner determined by the bank. The percentage of the fine is currently set at (500%) of the value.
The discovered counterfeit papers will be compensated for from the bank account or in cash.
Fourth: When Iraqi banknotes that are inconsistent with the authorized banknotes appear, their number is recorded as a decrease in both
In both cases, there is an increase or decrease in more than 100 papers, with a penalty of 100% deficiency being imposed, and the papers are recorded.
Different categories discovered in the bank's deposits to its current account.
Fifth: When non-Iraqi currency denominations appear, they are deposited in the bank’s account if it has an account in this currency.
With this bank otherwise, or if it is damaged, it is delivered to the bank’s authorized person and a shortage is recorded in both cases (more or less than 100 papers, with a deficiency fine of (100%) of the denomination.
authorized.
Sixth: The banknotes perforated with four holes referred to in Paragraph (3/C) and discovered among the bank deposits shall be confiscated and a deficiency recorded in both cases, plus or minus 100 notes), with a fine imposed.
The deficiency is as in paragraph (5/second).
B The bank has the right to object to the results of the counting and sorting within a week from the date of its notification of the results, and the bank’s authorized person is allowed to view the video recording made by surveillance cameras of the process of opening the bank’s bags. C- Official correspondence and correspondence with the Bank Follow-up and Reconciliation Department, and sending the results of the counting and sorting operations and copies of identification papers to the treasurers of the fund shall be via e-mail followup.iss@cbiraq.
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D - Amounts are collected on bank deposits for the counting and sorting operations carried out by the bank in the manner it determines, and it has currently been set at an amount of (250) dinars per bundle.
E. Deposits or withdrawals of banknotes (both local and foreign currencies) shall be received and delivered during working hours. The official deadline is currently set at (8:30 - 2:00) and no vehicles or persons affiliated with the banks will be allowed to enter outside these times, provided that these deposits and withdrawals are transferred and received by secure vehicles to or from this bank, and in the event that your deposits are delayed beyond the times mentioned above For reasons convincing to the management of this bank and its branches, these deposits may be received as a trust for a period not exceeding one working day according to a trust deposit form, provided that the amounts received are packed and stamped with the bank’s seal to ensure that they cannot be opened except in the presence of its authorized person.
The morning of the next working day for the purpose of withdrawing the trust and conducting a preliminary examination of it.
F - The responsibility of the Central Bank of Iraq and any bank, treasurer, or any person is at the point where the money leaves its possession, and it is assumed that the person receiving the banknotes will not leave the point of receipt before verifying the amount, and the recipient of the banknotes from this bank may request to carry out operations. Counting by him and whomever he wishes from members of his department and under the supervision of Central Bank employees, including providing and preparing all the counting requirements from the counting and linking machines. After completing the counting process, the bank becomes responsible for the banknotes it pays, even if they carry the identification cards of the parties from whom they were received.
g. If the bank discovers that there is an error in its deposits (increase or decrease) and before carrying out the counting and sorting process for those deposits, it must inform the Issuance and Treasury Department at the end of the deposit day or at the beginning of the next day, by sending an official letter specifying the amount of the error and the type of category accurately. After counting and sorting those deposits, it is ensured that the difference amount matches what is mentioned in the bank’s letter, in the presence of the authorized person, and the deficiency is compensated for.
From the bank without imposing a fine or handing over the increase, if any, according to an official report.
H - If a bank keeps the identification cards of the Central Bank or another bank and includes its creations and pushes them into circulation in this manner, it is considered a violation for which the bank will be held accountable.
Foreign banknotes A- Cash deposits: This bank receives deposits of foreign banknotes according to a counting and sorting fee for all...
Categories and all versions according to the mechanism shown below:
First: Adherence to the official timings for deposits mentioned in Paragraph (5/e).
Second: Send an official letter to this bank authorizing the bank’s employees to deposit foreign banknotes. The deposit slip must be returned, showing the details of the amount and stamped with the bank’s seal and the name and signature of the person authorized.
God's central bank
pg 7
Third: Sending an electronic memory in which the numbers of the deposited banknotes are stored, along with a paper list of the numbers for each
(100) papers. If the numbers do not match, the registered numbers will be approved by the bank. Fourth: Banks send their foreign cash deposits (dollars and euros) after counting, sorting, and packing them according to currency denominations to the vaults of the Central Bank of Iraq and packing them in good-quality, thick nylon bags. Each bag contains (10) ties, a maximum of ten ties, and each bundle contains (1000) One thousand sheets of paper tightly bound, divided into (10) bundles (ten) bundles. Each bundle contains (100) sheets of paper packed in nylon bags and sealed by thermal ironing or sewing them with a designated machine after adding tape to increase the durability of the bag, and placing an identification card on the bag. It describes its contents of banknotes, the name of the bank, the type of denomination, and the date of deposit, listing the name of the person who made it
He packed the bag.
Fifth: The deposited foreign banknotes are counted and sorted on the same day, and in the event of differences, the bank’s authorized person compensates directly. If it is not possible to count and sort them on the same day, they are deposited in a treasury.
Foreign currencies are counted and sorted, and the work date will be determined later.
Sixth: Counterfeit foreign notes (dollars and euros) will be confiscated and the deficiency will be compensated by the bank.
Seventh: In the event that there is a shortage in deposits of foreign banknotes (dollars and euros), it will be compensated by the bank.
Eighth: When an increase in foreign banknotes appears, it is delivered to the bank’s authorized person according to a receipt. Ninth: When foreign banknotes appear to be in violation of the authorized banknotes, they are replaced with the same denomination
Compensate the deficiency, if any. Tenth: Filling one bag involves placing two ties horizontally in two rows, so the number of ties becomes (8).
The last two ties are made vertically for the third row, so the number becomes (10) ties. Eleven: When damaged foreign cash deposits appear among the bank’s creations and are rejected by the counting and sorting machines, the bank will have a choice between replacing the number of papers or having this bank replace them through the Federal Bank, with the bank bearing the cost of the replacement.
Twelve: The bank shall be provided with a confirmation receipt in the event that it is not possible to make the accounting entry, and it may be received in trust as in paragraph (5/e).
Central Bank of Iraq
pg 8
B - Cash payments
First: Cash payments through the foreign currency buying and selling window: Providing the bank with a written pledge upon receiving the subscription amount in the foreign currency buying and selling window obligating it to distribute the share of the companies participating with it according to this bank’s electronic distribution and sending the pledge within a period of (48) hours.
Second - Cash payments from the bank balance with this bank: The bank is obligated to provide tables in Excel format with the numbers of the foreign banknotes received, distributed to the last beneficiary in batches or in one lump sum. In the event that it does not distribute all or part of the amount, we will be notified in an official letter.
Shows how much is left in its safes
B. The bank may not submit more than one request to withdraw the amount in one day.
C. The standards relied upon in rejecting foreign banknotes (the dollar and the euro) during the counting and sorting operations
If it meets one of the descriptions detailed below:
First: If it is cut in one of its corners, or if it is bruised, or loses any part of the leaf area.
Second: If it is torn and repaired with transparent adhesive tape from any side.
Third: If it contains a large stamp or several small stamps that affect its features.
Fourth: If it shows traces of handling and use (worn out) such that it affects its shape or features.
Fifth: If foreign materials adhere to and affect its features, such as inks, dyes, glues, ground materials, or
Cooked, pasted, fats or oils.
Sixth: If it is stored under incorrect storage conditions, which leads to it turning yellow or giving off a rotten odor.
Mechanism for transferring monetary innovations
All banks must use protected cars belonging to them or to entities specialized in transporting funds for the purpose of transferring cash deposits to and from this bank and between banks, and to provide us with the types and numbers of the protected cars or the authority.
Responsible for transportation.
B. Providing the Central Bank with the names of the workers employed by the bank to transfer cash deposits into this bank, their addresses, and their identification papers, provided that they carry identification cards (bags) specific to the bank. Otherwise, the bank bears legal responsibility.
central bank
The Iraqi
pg 9
Adhere to the instructions stated above
In the event that banks do not comply with the applicable instructions, repeat banking violations, and do not respond to our letters upon request, the Issuance and Treasury Department will recommend referring the violating bank to the Penalties Determination Committee.
Imposed on banks and non-banking financial institutions according to the Central Bank of Iraq law. - The aforementioned instructions will be effective from the date of issuance of the book and will replace all our books and circulars
precedent in this regard.
The last page is one side of a note that I cannot identify but I'm sure it's old and an example of a damaged note
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A thousand dinars angers the owners of the payroll outlets in Amara.. Pictures from the protest against Al-Rafidain
"Retirees can't bear it anymore"
Maysan
On Sunday, the owners of outlets for disbursing the salaries of retirees and employees in Maysan organized a protest against a new commission of one thousand dinars imposed by the Rafidain Bank, on withdrawing nationalized salaries, in addition to the previous 3 thousand dinars deducted in exchange for the service of withdrawing one million dinars from the salary.
the details
Rafidain Bank imposed a commission of one thousand dinars on every million withdrawn from salary delivery outlets, in addition to 3 thousand dinars imposed previously, which angered the outlet owners who organized a protest in front of the bank’s branch in Amara.
Haider Abd Falhi - Demonstration Coordinator:
There are 3 things that Rafidain Bank must change, the most prominent of which is adding a thousand dinars commission, which will be a new burden on employees and retirees, and this is what we reject.
In addition, the bank deducts an amount of 3,000 dinars for every withdrawal from the outlets, and this causes us huge losses.
There are matters that the Rafidain Bank has not resolved, most notably the recovery of damaged currency from salaries, and the compensation of outlet owners for the recurring shortage in the amounts received from the bank, and this is what the Rafidain Bank has not yet acknowledged.
Sabah Salem - outlet owner:
The outlet owners deposited deposits in the Rafidain Bank several years ago at a rate of 5 million dinars, which have not been returned yet.
There is rough treatment with outlet owners within the bank, and it would have been better for us to be dealt with in a better way than that, because we conduct large and continuous financial transactions with the bank.
Bassem Muhammad - Director of Al-Rafidain Bank in Al-Amarah:
We cannot change the procedures issued by the public administration in Baghdad, and responding to these protests is within its jurisdiction only.
Pictures: “One Thousand Dinars” confuses outlets and pensioners’ salaries. Kut threatens to strike as well
Kut
Owners of electronic payment outlets in Wasit, on Sunday, participated in protest stops in front of a number of Rafidain Bank branches in the country’s governorates, and a number of them gathered in front of the bank’s branch in Kut to demand the cancellation of the new commission on salary withdrawal services of one thousand dinars for every million, because it will increase the fees to Four thousand, including the previous tracks.
the details:
The outlet owners also demanded the allocation of their own window to facilitate financial transactions in the Rafidain Bank branches, while they threatened to go on strike if their demands were not met.
Ali Abdel Hadi - owner of outlet :
Our number in Wasit is approximately 300 outlets spread throughout the districts and districts, and we call on the Rafidain Bank to cancel the thousand dinar commission that was imposed when withdrawing every million dinars from the bank.
Increasing the bank's commission will lead to an increase from the outlet owner to customers, and the service commission will rise from 3,000 dinars to 4,000 dinars for every million.
This issue will cause us problems with customers, most of whom are retirees and young employees.
We ask the branches of Rafidain Banks to allocate a special window for owners of electronic payment outlets in order to separate us from the rest of the bank’s customers.
If our demands are not met, we will organize a general strike at the outlets of Wasit Governorate, and those causing the problem must confront the situation at that time.
text of the sign;
Outlet owners demand the abolition of commission from banks
Al-Sudani leaves Baghdad for Switzerland to attend the Davos Forum
On Monday, Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani left the capital, Baghdad, for Switzerland to participate in the 54th session of the Davos Economic Forum.
His media office mentioned this in a brief statement received by Shafaq News Agency.
Earlier, a government source told Shafaq News Agency that the Sudanese will participate in the World Economic Forum in the Swiss city of Davos in its fifty-fourth edition, which will begin its work on the fifteenth of this January.
This year’s edition of Davos carries the slogan “Restoring Confidence,” and will focus on the conflict in the Gaza Strip, along with issues of global concern, such as climate and artificial intelligence. The forum is supposed to witness the participation of heads of 100 governments and representatives of 1,000 international organizations.
Masrour Barzani heads to Switzerland to participate in the Davos Forum
The Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Masrour Barzani, headed an official delegation, today, Monday, to Switzerland to participate in the World Economic Forum in Davos.
The media office of the Prime Minister of the Region said, in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, that “Barzani will meet, on the sidelines of the forum’s work, with a number of presidents, prime ministers, and senior officials in the Middle East, Europe, and the world, where he will discuss with them a number of local, regional, and global issues and files.” "Including ways to strengthen bilateral relations, especially in the economic and investment fields. He is also scheduled to participate in a panel discussion on conflicts and tensions in the Middle East."
He stated that "the Prime Minister's participation in the Davos Forum comes within the framework of his continuing efforts to strengthen the Kurdistan Region's relations with the countries of the world, and to discuss files that concern the future of Iraq and the region in general."
The Kurdistan Region delegation consists of government officials, investors and business owners, and is participating for the first time in the Davos Forum.
On the initiative and direction of the Prime Minister, “Kurdistan House” will be opened in Davos. The forum will be launched this year under the title (Rebuilding Confidence), and will include a number of files on energy, the banking system, artificial intelligence, and a number of political issues.
It is noteworthy that Iraqi Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani left this Monday morning, the capital, Baghdad, for Switzerland to participate in the 54th edition of the Davos Economic Forum, which will begin its work on the fifteenth of this January.
This year’s edition of Davos carries the slogan “Restoring Confidence,” and will focus on the conflict in the Gaza Strip, along with issues of global concern, such as climate and artificial intelligence. The forum is supposed to witness the participation of heads of 100 governments and representatives of 1,000 international organizations.
Al-Sudani is in Switzerland to participate in the Davos Forum and is preparing to hold a series of meetings
Prime Minister, Mr. Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani, arrived on Monday in Switzerland to participate in the 54th edition of the Davos Economic Forum.
The Prime Minister’s Media Office said, in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, “Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani arrived this evening in Switzerland to participate in the 54th session of the World Economic Forum in Davos, which will be held from 15-19 January this year. With broad international participation.
Al-Sudani stated, “In this forum, there will be a series of meetings and gatherings that will focus on constructive economic partnerships with various countries of the world, within the framework of the Iraqi government’s plans for development and reform.”
The Davos Forum will be held this year under the slogan “Rebuilding Confidence,” and will discuss several political issues, most notably the war on Gaza, and economic, climate, and health issues that constitute major challenges facing the world today.
Al-Fateh: America does not want to leave Iraq for these reasons
Today, Saturday, the Al-Fatah Alliance explained the reasons for the American forces’ insistence on remaining in Iraq, while stressing that Washington does not want to leave Iraq “at all.”
The leader of the coalition, Aed Saheb, said in an interview with the “Al-Ma’louma” agency, “America does not want to leave Iraq, given that this region contains the two most important trade corridors around the world between the East and the West, which are the Suez Canal and the port of Al-Faw.”
He wondered: “If the Al-Faw port were to be completed, it would either be an alternative or a solution to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal for the passage of global trade,” pointing to “the global energy market, which depends mainly on what is present in the region, especially as it supplies the world with more than 33%.” ".
The leader of the Al-Amiri coalition explained, “Most of the countries in the region are partners of America, and have allied themselves with the Zionist entity, and therefore Washington came to Iraq to preserve its interests, and this matter made it pay and provide what it provided over the past years, in terms of money and support to this or that party.”
Earlier today, Acting Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mohsen Al-Mandalawi, called on the government to implement the decision to end the foreign presence in Iraq, indicating that the House of Representatives’ decision to end the presence of foreign forces in Iraq is a principled and firm decision.
Most of the Iraqi political forces issued their support for the Prime Minister regarding the steps to remove American forces from Iraq after a series of attacks against the Iraqi security forces.
Strategic expert: Iran does not want to remove American forces from Iraq
Strategy and national security specialist, Firas Elias, said that Iran does not want to remove the international coalition or American forces from Iraq.
Elias stated in a blog post on the “X” platform followed by “ Jarida ” that, “Given the circumstances that contributed to the departure of American forces from the country in 2011, at that time no Iraqi official, especially those close to Iran, was able to publicly declare a request for the forces to remain.” The US is in Iraq, just as the Sudanese or some of the framework forces are doing today, and this reflects, on the other hand, the lack of a decisive Iranian decision on this issue.”
He explained, “In 2008, former Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was forced to travel to Tehran and convince Iranian Leader Ali Khamenei that the security agreement with the United States would guarantee Iran’s security, and that it was not possible to sign an agreement that threatened Iranian national security, which is what prompted Iran to agree to sign the agreement".
He added, “The same conditions are imposed on Iran today. Although the role of the international coalition has extended from combating the threats of ISIS to combating the threats of Iran and its allies on the Iraqi and Syrian sides, Iran is not seriously thinking about the necessity of ending the United States’ mission in this way or under these circumstances.”
He explained, “Iraq represents the main artery for Iran, and Iran does not want there to be a hostile exit of the United States from Iraq, which would entail economic sanctions that would be harmed before Iraq, especially with the continued American sanctions on it.”
He continued, “The presence of the United States in Iraq represents a justification for accepting the Iranian slogan that its presence in Iraq and the region is to confront global arrogance, and with the departure of an enemy like the United States, it will reshape the relationship between Iran and many of its allies in the region.”
He continued, “Iran is trying, at the very least, to provide a safe exit for the United States, given that it has not, until now, reached a firm conviction about the nature of the American reaction to this step.”
He added, "Iran is trying to keep Iraq within the framework of the 'double game' with the United States, to pass messages and a back corridor for negotiations. The presence of Iraq within this framework has enabled Iran to achieve important gains in terms of US-Iranian relations."
He concluded by saying, “If the Iranians had really wanted to get rid of the American presence, they would have taken radical measures. There is nothing preventing them from doing that. They had the potential, thanks to the presence of 80 armed groups that included no less than 220,000 fighters, to turn Iraq into hell for the United States.” United States after the assassination of Soleimani in 2020, the architect of Iranian influence in the Middle East, but they did not do so, because they give great importance to the American presence in Iraq.
this is an Atlantic Council article
Iraq’s prime minister is sending mixed messages on whether US forces should withdraw or not
After a year of stability and mutual tolerance, US-Iraq relations have taken a turn for the worse in the last two months. When President Joe Biden took office in 2021, the general belief was that US policy toward Iraq would be shaped by diplomacy, as opposed to the heavy-handed approach of the Donald Trump administration, which included threats of sanctions, asset confiscation, and the use of force to settle scores on Iraqi soil without the consent of Iraq. Former Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi was a staunch advocate of working closely with all international actors, particularly the United States, and transformed Iraq into a constructive regional player and an agent of stability; for example, Iraq successfully mediated complex conflicts, such as the longstanding Iran-Saudi Arabia dispute. As a result, Kadhimi enjoyed a robust relationship with the Biden administration. However, Kadhimi’s successor, Mohamed Shia al-Sudani, has not enjoyed a similar level of trust during his premiership since it began in October 2022.
Despite securing a year-long truce between the US and the Iraqi political and armed groups that reject the US military presence in Iraq, and receiving the Biden administration’s declared
The invitation US Secretary of State Antony Blinken extended to Sudani in September 2023 “to visit the White House soon” will be frozen under the current tense relations and as President Biden’s calendar becomes increasingly crowded in the months leading to the November presidential election. Meanwhile, it would not be an exaggeration to state that US-Iraqi relations are rapidly approaching the dynamics observed under the Trump administration in 2020, when a US drone strike killed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force Commander Qasem Soleimani and Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Deputy Commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. This led the Iraqi Council of Representatives to pass a resolution calling for the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq.
On January 4, a US drone strike inside Baghdad killed Mushtaq Jawad al-Saeedi, the deputy commander of Baghdad Belt for the PMF, who belongs to Harakat al-Nujaba, an armed group that is closely associated with Iraq and designated by the US as a terrorist group. The drone strike coincided with the Iraqi activities commemorating the fourth anniversary of the assassination near the Baghdad International Airport, which killed several Iraqis and Iranians, including Soleimani and Muhandis.
The Iraqi Presidency, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Foreign Ministry issued three separate statements condemning the latest drone attack, calling it a violation of Iraqi sovereignty and a breach of the bilateral agreement on the rules of engagement and the terms of the presence of US forces in Iraq. Major General Yehia Rasool, the spokesperson of the Commander-in-Chief of Iraqi Armed Forces, described the drone strike in the following terms: “In a blatant aggression and violation of Iraq’s sovereignty and security, a drone conducted an act akin to terrorist activities.”
In his daily briefing at the Pentagon on January 4, Air Force Major General Pat Ryder reiterated the often-cited basis for the presence of US forces in Iraq: they are in the country at the invitation of the government of Iraq and they are stationed there “for one reason, which is to support the defeat-ISIS [Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham] mission.” He added that the US will “continue to work very closely with our Iraqi partners when it comes to the safety and security of our forces. When those forces are threatened, just like we would anywhere else in the world, we will maintain the inherent right of self-defense to protect our forces.”
However, this “inherent right of self-defense” has caused a bilateral crisis every time it has been exercised in Iraq. The Iraqi government’s reaction was articulated by Prime Minister Sudani, who called the January 4 drone strike “a crime” and said, “we affirmed our standing and principled position regarding ending the presence of the International Coalition after the end of the justifications of its presence, and we are working on setting a time to start the dialogue through the bilateral committee that was established to define the arrangements for ending this presence, and this is a commitment the government will not back down from.”
The Iraqi government took another unusual step: sending a text message surveying average Iraqis for their opinion on the matter. “Dear citizen, do you support the continuation of the International Coalition’s mission in Iraq?” the text read. A polling center sent the message, but the link people needed to click in order to give their answers led to a website administered by the government.
Despite this and the many strong statements made in the past few days, the Iraqi prime minister sent a soothing message to the United States while speaking to the press. On January 10, Sudani told Reuters that the upcoming talks to negotiate an end to international forces’ presence in Iraq “is not a discontinuation of the partnership between Iraq and the International Coalition, but a beginning of bilateral relations between Iraq, the US, and other countries, including security relations. We have no reservations on signing bilateral security agreements for general security cooperation or for training and capacity building purposes.”
The coming few months will reveal whether the Iraqi government intends to uphold the position Sudani announced and make an official request to withdraw US forces or, as skeptics claim, Sudani’s statement was made for domestic consumption.
What made an already tense situation worse was Major General Ryder’s statement to journalists at the Pentagon daily briefing on January 4: “We do know that the Iraqi security forces have continued to assist in identifying in some cases where these Iranian proxies have conducted attacks against US forces, and we are appreciative of that support.”
Prime Minister Sudani’s Iraqi opponents interpreted this as an accusation that Iraqi security forces were working as informants to aid the US airstrikes. The Prime Minister’s Security Media Cell issued a press release calling Ryder’s statement a deception attempt, adding, “We firmly deny the existence of such cooperation, but the opposite is true, yesterday’s aggression was executed directly without informing the knowledge of any Iraqi security or military entity.”
It is hard to explain how US government officials, who insist that the presence of US forces in Iraq is based on the invitation of Iraq’s government, fail to see the irony in the unanimous condemnations of their acts coming from all Iraqi leadership quarters. By the same token, it is also hard to explain how the Iraqi government, which validates the claim of their invitation of US forces, fails to protect its “guests” from attacks by groups it describes as Iraqi security forces, which are supposed to be working according to the authorities granted to them by the commander-in-chief. It is high time the governments of Iraq and the United States review and uphold their respective obligations instead of waffling between partnership and belligerence.
Iraqis fear US withdrawal could worsen the economy
On the streets of Baghdad, many people are worried that a potential withdrawal of United States troops could further damage the already weak economy because of Iraq’s heavy reliance on American greenbacks.
“The exchange rate of the dollar [against the Iraqi dinar] will definitely be affected,” Baghdad resident Hussein Taleb told Rudaw’s Halkawt Aziz on Friday. “Most of our goods are imported from abroad.”
Earlier this month, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani announced plans to begin the process to end the nearly decade-long presence of international forces of the US-led coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq.
The move came after Washington conducted several retaliatory airstrikes against Iraqi militia groups who have carried out at least 130 drone and rocket attacks on US troops based in Syria and Iraq since mid-October. After the deadly airstrikes, militia groups and Shiite politicians have intensified their calls for the withdrawal of US forces.
“The impact of the American withdrawal from Iraq will be great on the market because the dollar exchange rate will rise,” predicted Baghdad resident Sabah Mohsen. He fears the result will be that commodity prices "will rise further.”
Despite taking several measures, Baghdad has failed to stabilize the dinar-dollar exchange rate. The official exchange rate is 1,320 dinars per dollar, but the actual rate in the markets is over 1,500.
No timeline has been set for an American withdrawal and Washington has not announced any plans to leave.
Abu Ziyad Nasser, another Baghdad resident, fears that a potential US withdrawal could be followed by sanctions. Iraq was internationally sanctioned during Saddam Hussein’s regime which was toppled by the US in 2003.
Sanctions “will take us back to the days of the siege, and we will once again rely on food rations for our livelihood,” said Nasser.
With missiles and drones...the factions bomb three American bases in Iraq and Syria
Iraqi armed factions announced, on Sunday evening, the bombing of three American bases in Iraq and Syria, using missiles and drones.
A statement issued by the "Islamic Resistance in Iraq" and received by Shafaq News Agency stated, "The resistance mujahideen attacked, using missiles and drones, three occupation bases in Iraq and Syria (Kharab al-Jir base, Erbil Airport base, and Konico base)."
The statement added, "These strikes came as a continuation of the approach of resistance to the American occupation forces in Iraq and the region, and in response to the Zionist entity's massacres against our people in Gaza," stressing that "the resistance will continue to destroy enemy strongholds."
In addition, a security source told the agency that “the vehicle in which the missile attack was carried out was seized in the village of Al-Marra in the Rabia district of Nineveh Governorate.”
American officials talk about attacks in Iraq and Syria: Get ready for more
American officials urged the American administration to prepare for additional military actions in response to additional attacks in the Red Sea or Syria and Iraq, considering that Washington gave the Houthis what they wanted, which is fighting.
Michael Mulroy, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Affairs during the administration of former US President Donald Trump, said that “the Pentagon must prepare for additional military action,” and added: “The United States must begin planning to increase our response to more attacks in the Red Sea.” Or Syria and Iraq.
The former American official called for "the necessity of including the Iranian Revolutionary Guard among those goals."
Gerald Feierstein, former US ambassador to Yemen, expressed his belief that "the United States gave the Houthis exactly what they wanted, which was to fight." He added: "They were confident that they could withstand anything we would do. They saw that they had popular support."
Feierstein said: “At the regional level, this strengthens the image of the Houthis. It places them in the first row of Iranian followers in the ‘axis of resistance’.. “We should not give the Houthis what they want, and this is exactly what we did.”
The United States and Britain launched a campaign at dawn on Friday. A massive attack on several Yemeni cities targeted sites belonging to the Houthis.
The US Central Command announced that it "carried out, in coordination with the United Kingdom, and with the support of Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, and Bahrain, joint strikes on Houthi targets to weaken their ability to continue their attacks on ships in the Red Sea."
The White House said that the United States does not want a war with Yemen, but it will not hesitate to take further measures. In turn, the Houthi “Ansar Allah” group announced on Friday that “all American and British interests have become legitimate targets.”
On Saturday, the United States unilaterally launched a new raid on A radar site belonging to the Houthis at Al-Dailami Air Base in Sanaa.
The US Central Command announced that the strike on Saturday was a follow-up to striking a specific military target linked to the strikes carried out on January 12, stressing that the latest strike against the Houthis in Yemen has nothing to do with the “Guardian of Prosperity” coalition.
American preparations to send 1,500 soldiers to fight against ISIS in Syria and Iraq
The American state of New Jersey witnessed a farewell ceremony for 1,500 soldiers who will join the American force fighting against what is known as the Islamic State (ISIS) in both Syria and Iraq.
This is the largest gathering of US National Guard soldiers in New Jersey since 2008.
The deployment of American soldiers comes within the " Operation Inherent Resolve " of the international coalition led by Washington since 2014 to fight the extremist organization in the Middle East.
Lieutenant Colonel Omar Minot, who is heading to serve in the Middle East for the fifth time, said that American soldiers have everything they need to defeat ISIS.
He added: "We have the people (soldiers) we need, we have the training we need, and we have the equipment we need to fight and win."
The soldiers will first head to Fort Bliss in Texas for training before heading to the Middle East
God bless Texas and God bless our soldiers everywhere.
"Salute the ones who died." Zach Brown Band
Two officials: American facilities were not targeted by Erbil attacks
link let's see if the story is the same tomorrow
Two American officials told Reuters, on Monday, that the missile strikes in Iraq did not target any American facilities, and there were no casualties among Americans, while the Iranian Revolutionary Guard claimed responsibility for an attack near the city of Erbil in northern Iraq.
The two American officials declined to comment further.
A statement by the Kurdistan Regional Security Council confirmed that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard fired several ballistic missiles at several civilian areas in Erbil, killing four civilians and wounding six others.
Iranian official media reported on Monday that the Revolutionary Guard said it “attacked spy centers and gatherings of anti-Iranian terrorist groups” in Erbil, Iraq.
Agence France-Presse quoted a statement by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard announcing the launch of a missile attack on “terrorist groups” in Erbil in northern Iraq.
The official IRNA news agency reported that the Revolutionary Guard announced the destruction of “spying and gathering headquarters of anti-Iranian terrorist groups in parts of the region using ballistic missiles.”
In a statement on Tuesday, the Kurdistan Region Security Council described the Iranian missile attack as “a blatant violation of the sovereignty of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq,” and called on the federal government and the international community “not to be silent regarding this crime.”
While Iran announced that its attack targeted “terrorist groups,” the regional authorities said that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s claim that “the attack targeted several sites of Iranian opposition groups” was baseless.
It will continue.. The violent bombing of Erbil is a response to attacks near Soleimani’s shrine.. Official from Tehran
IRNA news about the Revolutionary Guards
According to the Iranian official news agency, the violent attacks that targeted Erbil and other areas in the region, such as Syrian territory, came in response to the suicide operations that took place in the city of “Kerman” near the shrine of Revolutionary Guard General Qassem Soleimani, last week, and it quoted an official statement that the operations “will continue.” “.
Statement by the Kurdistan Security Council regarding the bombing of Erbil: Baghdad and the international community must intervene
The Kurdistan Region Security Council issued a statement condemning the Iranian bombing that targeted civilian areas in Erbil, and called on the federal government and the international community to intervene.
A statement issued by the Kurdistan Region Security Council as reported:
At 11:30 pm on January 15, 2024, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard fired several ballistic missiles at several civilian areas in Erbil, killing 4 civilians and wounding 6 others.
The Revolutionary Guard said that the attack targeted several sites of groups opposed to Iran. This excuse is baseless, and we deny it. Unfortunately, they always use baseless excuses to attack Erbil, and Erbil, as a stable region, has never been a source of threat to any party.
This is a blatant violation of the sovereignty of the Kurdistan region and Iraq, and the federal government and the international community must not remain silent regarding this crime.
more...
A leader in the Kurdistan Democratic Party said on his account on the “X” Twitter platform, that unprovoked attacks by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard targeted the prominent businessman in Erbil, Bishru Dizayi, along with four members of his family, after the violent attacks that resonated throughout the city at midnight. While the Iranian consul in the Kurdistan region said that he would explain the security situation in the region at exactly nine in the morning during a conversation with journalists, and the Iranian media explained that it would publish other details about the “Revolutionary Guard operation” against “spies” in the Middle East.
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