The Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq meets with the Governor of the Bank of England.
His Excellency the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Mr. Ali Mohsen Al-Allaq, met with the Governor of the Bank of England, Mr. Andrew Bailey, at the Bank's headquarters in London.
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The meeting addressed the historical relations between the two banks and ways of cooperation in supporting the efforts of the Iraqi government and the Central Bank of Iraq in the field of digital transformation, and benefiting from the Bank of England's experience in modernizing its paper currency and its studies on digital currencies.
During his speech, His Excellency the Governor pointed to the success of monetary policy in maintaining the stability of the general level of prices, as a primary objective of monetary policy, stressing that inflation levels are the lowest in history, reaching (less than 2%). His Excellency also touched on the relationship between the two sides in the field of foreign reserve management, especially since the Central Bank of Iraq keeps a portion of its reserves in the vaults of the Bank of England.
His Excellency Al-Allaq called on Mr. Bailey to support the efforts of the Central Bank of Iraq to join the Bank for International Settlements in Switzerland, given that the Bank of England is a member of the aforementioned bank's Board of Directors.Central Bank of Iraq
Media Office
Al-Sudani discusses economic, investment and development issues with the British ambassador.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani discussed economic, investment and development issues with the British Ambassador to Iraq, Irfan Siddiq, on Sunday.
A statement from his office said, "Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received today, Sunday, the British Ambassador to Iraq, Irfan Siddiq, and discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and prospects for strengthening and developing them in various sectors, especially in the economic, investment and development aspects, in a way that supports achieving common interests.
" The meeting addressed "developments in the situation in the region, the importance of working to stop the ongoing war on the Gaza Strip, and pressuring for urgent humanitarian aid to reach civilians. They also stressed the need to respect the sovereignty of states and international laws and reject the attacks launched by the occupation forces, the latest of which was the aggression that targeted the sisterly State of Qatar."
The 85th meeting of the Central Bank Governors of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries was held in Kuwait.
The Governors of the Central Banks of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states held their 85th meeting in Kuwait on Sunday morning, September 14, 2025. The meeting was chaired by Basil Al-Haroun, Governor of the Central Bank of Kuwait and Chairman of the current session of the committee, with the participation of the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The meeting discussed several topics of interest to the Gulf financial and banking sector, most notably ways to keep pace with international monetary and financial developments, enhance cooperation and integration among Gulf central banks, and follow up on the implementation of joint Gulf initiatives.
The meeting also discussed the recommendations of the specialized technical committees in the fields of payment systems, banking supervision, modern financial technologies, cybersecurity, combating money laundering and terrorist financing, and other priority topics. The meeting also included discussions on areas of cooperation with international partners, such as the People's Bank of China, the European Central Bank, and a number of global financial institutions, to enhance the position of the Gulf financial sector internationally.
This meeting was held as part of the periodic meetings of the GCC Central Bank Governors Committee, which constitutes a strategic platform for coordinating monetary and financial policies among GCC countries and enhancing joint cooperation, contributing to consolidating financial and monetary stability and supporting the goals of sustainable economic development in the GCC countries.
The State Council will decide on the salary issue next Tuesday
Kurdistan24 reporter in Baghdad said: The State Council has decided to review the problem of non-oil revenues of Kurdistan next Tuesday.
Sunday, September 14, 2025, Kurdistan24 reporter Dylan Barzan in Baghdad said: The State Council has set Tuesday to review and provide legal advice to the Council of Ministers on the issue of non-oil revenues between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad.
He added that the State Council has requested that two advisors to the Ministry of Finance and Justice of the Kurdistan Region will be present at the meeting on Tuesday so that they can respond together to the Council of Ministers.
The Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi government have legal problems over Articles 29 and 30 of the 2019 Financial Management Law and Article 21 of the 2023, 2024 and 2025 bills; Meanwhile, the agreement on the salaries of August, June and September is related to the issue of non-oil revenues.
another version
The State Council began discussing the memorandum referred by the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers on the salaries of Kurdistan Region employees, oil exports, and local revenues on Sunday morning, September 14, 2025.
Kurdistan 24's correspondent in Baghdad, Dilan Barzan, reported that if the council completes its work today, it will be considered a positive step. However, if the decision is postponed, the issue will be returned to the council's legal framework for resolving the disputes between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government.
Barzan added that today's session is the council's second on this issue, and was dedicated to determining the party with legal rights in the case.
He pointed out that the session would not result in binding decisions, but would be limited to providing legal advice, while the final decision rested with the competent judicial authorities.
He explained that the disputed provisions relate to the 2019 Budget Law and the Financial Management Law, and represent the core of the disagreements between the two parties. If an agreement cannot be reached within the Council of State, the case will be referred to the Federal Supreme Court, which has the authority to issue the final decision on whether jurisdiction resides with the Kurdistan Region or with the federal government in Baghdad.
The delegations of the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi government discussed the issue of oil exports
A delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi government discussed the issue of oil exports and increasing oil production in the Kurdistan Region online.
According to Kurdistan24's reporter in Baghdad, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) negotiating delegation met online with three Kurdish ministers of the Iraqi government on Sunday evening, September 14, 2025, within the framework of the decision of the Council of Ministers The export of oil from the Kurdistan Region was discussed.
The two delegations also discussed the need to resume oil exports until the Ministry of Oil and Epicor reach an agreement, and to gradually increase the level of oil production in the Kurdistan Region to reach the previous level.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) delegation included Omid Sabah, Prime Minister's Office, Amanj Rahim, Secretary of the Council of Ministers and Mohammed Kamal, Minister of Natural Resources.
The Iraqi Council of Ministers has set Tuesday, September 16, 2025, to review and provide legal advice to the Iraqi Council of Ministers on the non-oil revenue issue between the two federal governments, Kurdistan24 reporter Dylan Barzan said Sunday.
Presented by an American company: Expert: Powerful parties are pressuring the Central Bank to thwart the reform plan.
Economic expert Ziad al-Hashemi spoke on Saturday, September 13, 2025, about "pressure exerted by powerful parties" on the Central Bank of Iraq to "thwart the banking reform plan" presented by an American consulting firm. He indicated that implementing the plan would rid the Iraqi banking system of most of its problems and "clear its reputation." He explained that the plan would force "shop" bank owners to pay the price for establishing banks without banking standards and controls, and for living off dollar transfers.
Al-Hashemi said in a tweet followed by Al-Jabal that "the Central Bank of Iraq is under pressure from some powerful parties to thwart the banking reform plan, empty it of its content, maintain the miserable banking situation, and expose more banks to the risk of sanctions."
He added, "We must first recognize that the Central Bank of Iraq's reform plan, presented by the American consulting firm, does not rely on specific standards imposed by the Federal Reserve, but rather on international standards, the most important of which are the Basel Standards for Banking Supervision, which focus on the adequacy and quality of capital, governance, the distribution of ownership and its separation from management, risk management, and the level of disclosure."
He explained, "This reform plan will force owners of convenience stores to pay the price for establishing banks that do not meet banking standards and regulations, and for living off dollar transfers. Therefore, they have no choice now but to comply with the terms of the plan, merge, or liquidate. So far, many of these bank owners insist on remaining in control of their banks, and this is a point of contention with the reform requirements that could lead to the plan's failure."
He continued, "Experience has proven that the concentration of bank ownership in the hands of a small number of families and non-specialized individuals was one of the main reasons for the deterioration of the banks' situation, weak governance, increased financial risks, and increased fraud cases. There are also other pressures to prevent banks from increasing their capital or hindering the level of governance, especially with regard to the 'fit and proper' standard for assessing the integrity, good reputation, and expertise of banks' senior management."
Al-Hashemi explained that "the banking reform plan, if implemented efficiently by the Central Bank of Iraq, will certainly contribute to ridding the Iraqi banking system of most of its problems, cleaning up its reputation, and raising the quality of its services. Therefore, the Central Bank's success in implementing the reform plan is a matter that deserves praise and a hat-trick to the Central Bank. Implementing the reform plan is difficult, but it is possible, and success in that depends first and foremost on the Central Bank's strictness, decisiveness, and ability to impose its reform will on everyone."
Al-Hashemi asked, "Will we finally salute the Central Bank, or will we continue to witness yet another failure of reform and submission to the powerful bank owners and patrons?"
On August 16, Al-Hashemi spoke about the Central Bank of Iraq's position on implementing the "reforms" that the US Federal Reserve and the US Treasury Department want to implement in the Iraqi banking system. He also addressed what he described as "powerful" entities in Iraq, which own and operate dozens of banks and live off the dollar and the revenues of those banks. He pointed to a "reform" action plan for the Iraqi banking system, presented by an American company, which he described as facing "opposition behind the scenes" from parties that benefit from maintaining the status quo without reform.
Al-Hashemi said, "The Central Bank of Iraq has a 'last chance' to reform its banking system by implementing the reform plan and imposing its will on those obstructing it. Otherwise, the Treasury and the Federal Reserve will be on the lookout." He explained that, "For years, the Federal Reserve and the US Treasury have pursued a direct, strict policy with the Central Bank of Iraq, which has forced nearly 50% of banks out of work or dealing in dollars as a result of sanctions and deprivation."
He added, "During that period, the Federal Reserve imposed numerous conditions and requirements on the Central Bank of Iraq to increase compliance, the most important of which were expanding the scope of direct transfers and electronic payments, streamlining the number of banks by liquidating some banks and merging others, and changing the ownership structure and capitalization of banks."
He pointed out that "this situation has put the Central Bank of Iraq in a very difficult position, caught between the hammer of the Federal Reserve and the anvil of powerful parties in Iraq, which own and operate dozens of banks and live off the dollar and the revenues generated by those banks."
He pointed out that "as a compromise to spare the Central Bank of Iraq the embarrassment and pressure it is facing, an American company (OW), which has joint working relationships with the Federal Reserve and the US Treasury, has been commissioned to assess the Iraqi banking system and present a reform action plan for it."
He added, "The company presented a banking reform plan, which included requirements based on and consistent with those demanded by the Federal Reserve and the Treasury over the past year. This means that the Central Bank of Iraq received the same US federal requirements, but indirectly through an American company, in what appears to be a tactic to cover up direct federal intervention in reforming the Iraqi banking system."
He continued, "The plan is now ready for implementation after the Central Bank announced it, but it appears there is some opposition behind the scenes to obstruct its implementation by some parties who benefit from the status quo without reform."
He pointed out that "the Central Bank of Iraq now has no choice but to adhere to the banking reform plan presented by the consulting firm. Otherwise, the Federal Reserve and the Treasury will return to direct intervention and force reforms on the Central Bank or impose further restrictions and even sanctions."
The expert explained that "the return of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve to direct intervention and pressure is a sensitive issue that the Central Bank of Iraq is striving to avoid, to protect its reputation and affirm its independence and ability to implement reforms. This requires a firm and decisive stance from the Central Bank's management to implement this reform plan without yielding to any internal dictates or pressures."
Al-Kalabi: The Central Bank is going through its worst conditions, and the governor has proposed an illogical idea regarding exchange offices.
During his appearance on the Al-Noqta program on Al-Furat satellite channel, Al-Kalabi said, "The current financial indicators are extremely poor, and the financial management over the past three years has committed disastrous errors that have had a negative impact on the national economy." He pointed out that "the Central Bank has failed to control the gap between the official and parallel rates, despite salaries being fully secured, and this has led to punitive measures affecting 28 local banks."
He added that "the committee is hosting the head of the National Retirement Authority, the head of the Poverty Fund, general managers, and bank directors to prepare a current and future reform vision," noting that "the governor of the Central Bank proposed an illogical and strange idea to transform three exchange offices into a bank. This proposal contradicts the nature of the financial institution's work, which is linked to foreign relations and subject to international obligations related to combating money laundering."
Elsewhere, Al-Kalabi addressed the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), emphasizing that "the organization is going through difficult circumstances amid internal and external pressures." He explained that "the US administration has directly intervened in the PMF's structure and threatened to impose economic sanctions on Iraq if the amendments are approved. The reason is that there are lobbies in Washington working against the Shiites and the PMF."
He continued, "The battle against Shiites began in 2019. The October protests are real, and their supporters are good and honorable. Martyr Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis categorically rejected the involvement of the Popular Mobilization Forces in the October protests, and the third party that killed protesters was from within the state."
Al-Kalabi pointed out that "the danger awaiting Iraq lies in internal change through constitutional means, according to information and what is currently being cooked up in political kitchens. The situation in the region has changed, and there is a possibility of a repetition of the Syrian scenario in Iraq, with part of the country being separated." He emphasized that "the upcoming elections are a constitutional necessity, and postponing them will lead the country into deadly chaos."
An economist explains the reason for the fluctuations in the dollar exchange rate.
Economic researcher Ali Karim Idhib confirmed on Sunday that the fluctuations in the exchange rate of the dinar against the dollar are linked to a number of internal and external factors, most notably the local market’s almost complete dependence on imports.
Idhib said in a statement to the Al-Maalouma Agency that “the improvement or decline in global oil prices, which represent the main source of state revenues, is directly reflected in the volume of dollar flows into the local market,” noting that “the restrictions imposed on the sale and transfer of dollars by the Central Bank, and external interventions related to combating money laundering, have also contributed to increasing the severity of the fluctuations.”
He pointed out that “the political and economic instability in the country plays a pivotal role in the increased demand for foreign currency, in addition to the continued smuggling of dollars out of Iraq,” indicating that “these factors combined are putting increasing pressure on the exchange rate.”
He pointed out that “the Central Bank is trying to intervene through currency auctions and regulatory measures to limit speculation, but these solutions remain temporary unless dollar revenues are sustainably increased.”
He stressed that "the stability of the political and economic situation and the increase in the state's hard currency resources are the decisive factor in alleviating pressure on the dinar and stabilizing the exchange rate."
Despite its high income, Iraq is among the poorest in the world
According to an international magazine, Iraq's population is on the list of poor countries and the Iraqi budget is 160 trillion dinars, according to economic experts, this amount of the budget is not able to fight poverty.
Singapore is the richest country in the world, according to the latest ranking of Iraq's population by Global Finance magazine, based on detailed information on the per capita share and purchasing power of each country The world's poorest country is South Sudan.
Singapore, the richest country, has a per capita share of ten times that of Iraq, ranking 76th, despite the country's high income.
Iraq is unable to reduce poverty because the population is 46 million, population growth is 2.53%, the average poverty rate is 17.5%, and the budget is 160 trillion dinars.
Economists say the country's budget will not be able to fight poverty if oil exports and other revenues are not increased, which could lead to a poverty rate of 84 percent in 2040.
According to a planning report released in late February, the poorest province was Musana, with 40 percent, but Erbil and Sulaymaniyah had the lowest poverty rates in Iraq.
The poverty rate was 20.5% in 2018, but will fall to 17.5% in
According to the report, the monthly expenditure of individuals is 248 thousand dinars and the monthly expenditure of families is 1 million 467 thousand, but the monthly income of individuals was 201 thousand and the monthly income of families was 1 million 188 thousand.
Al-Rasheed launches a new service for electronic payment.
Rashid Bank announced the launch of a new service enabling customers to make purchases using an electronic card and pay upon receipt of their salary. This step aims to promote a culture of electronic payments and facilitate financial procedures for citizens.
The bank explained in a statement that the new service will enable e-card holders to shop at approved outlets and markets without the need for a pre-paid balance, with the amount automatically deducted when their salaries are received.
The statement indicated that this step is part of the bank's plans to expand electronic payment services and gradually transition from cash transactions to modern methods, in line with the government's efforts to achieve digital transformation and simplify banking transactions.
Rashid Bank urged its customers to take advantage of the new service, affirming its commitment to providing advanced banking initiatives and services that meet citizens' needs.
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Government advisor: Partnerships with international finance reflect confidence in the Iraqi investment environment.
The Prime Minister's Advisor for Financial Affairs, Mazhar Mohammed Salih, affirmed on Saturday that the partnerships signed with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) represent a strategic step towards diversifying the Iraqi economy and enhancing international direct investment. He pointed out that these partnerships reflect the international corporation's confidence in the Iraqi investment environment and open new horizons for the development of non-oil sectors.
Salih said: "The conference held today in Baghdad under the title of Partnership Day between the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Iraqi government, in the presence of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, is an important strategic step towards diversifying the Iraqi economy and enhancing international direct investment."
He added that "the International Finance Corporation, one of the arms of the World Bank Group concerned with financing and partnerships with the private sector in various countries around the world, including Iraq, demonstrated through this conference clear confidence in the Iraqi investment environment, which constitutes a positive indicator for international investors."
He explained that "the link between the activities of the international corporation and the Iraqi private sector represents a qualitative shift in the government's economic policy and enhances the openness of national investments to global financial institutions, which contributes to diversifying the economy's resources and providing it with expertise and partnerships with the most important international economic centers."
Saleh continued, "The conference witnessed the signing of multi-million dollar partnership contracts in various sectors that will contribute to job creation, infrastructure improvement, and increased local production." He pointed out that "these partnerships are expected to generate direct financial returns from the non-oil sector through seven important investment contracts, including projects in gas, renewable energy, and agriculture."
He explained that "the international institution does not only provide financing, but also brings with it management and implementation expertise and international standards, raising the level of projects in Iraq to a world-class level." He pointed out that "this approach will enhance growth in the industrial, services, transportation, communications, and port sectors, and provide additional resources from taxes, customs duties, and utility operating revenues, thus contributing to diversifying sources of revenue away from oil monopoly."
Under the patronage and attendance of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, the International Finance Corporation (IFC)-Iraq Partnership Day celebration was held in the capital, Baghdad, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the Corporation's presence and partnerships with Iraqi sectors. The celebration witnessed the signing of seven important investment contracts, most notably:
- A $500 million contract to invest in associated gas and develop Umm Qasr Port facilities with Basra Gas Company.
- A $250 million contract to finance and expand cement and lubricating oil production with Al-Muhaidib Group.
- A $125 million contract to finance container handling equipment and a storage yard at Umm Qasr Port with Allurain Investment Company.
- A $65 million contract to finance the first phase of the green residential real estate development project in Sulaymaniyah with Hiwa Rauf Investment Company.
- A $10 million contract to finance a line of credit to finance international trade with the Bank of Baghdad.
- An investment partnership contract to establish sustainable agricultural and industrial projects with Sama Al-Manar/Tiriyaki Agro Company, worth $120 million.
A partnership agreement was signed with Captain Ship Holdings to establish a teaching hospital, valued at $250 million, in addition to a partnership agreement with Al-Ula Company for Financing Small and Medium Enterprises in the field of consulting services and developing investment attraction.
Al-Sudani is waving pressure cards...and Iraq is a candidate to become a new front for Israel.
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Baghdad supports the formation of an "Arab defense force."
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani threatened Israel that Baghdad possesses "cards" that could prevent its expansion in the region. This coincided with the government receiving a report warning of the possibility of an attack on Iraq after Qatar.
In a television interview, al-Sudani called for "the declaration of an Islamic political, security, and economic alliance between Islamic countries, so that nothing prevents the establishment of a joint security force for defense."
The prime minister warned Israel, saying, "We have several cards that can be exploited to confront the aggression, which will not stop at Qatar," noting that "the Israeli bombing is a transgression against a sister country and represents a threat to its security and the security of all countries in the region."
Al-Sudani had a phone call with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, following the Israeli bombing that targeted Doha last Tuesday, stressing the need to hold an "urgent" meeting.
In this context, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein arrived in Doha to participate in the emergency joint meeting of Arab foreign ministers to discuss the repercussions of the Israeli aggression. According to an official statement from the ministry, the meeting "was held to consult on the unified Arab and Islamic positions regarding these violations."
An emergency Arab-Islamic summit is scheduled to be held on Monday to discuss the repercussions of the attack on Qatar.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Israel to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating before his departure that "Hamas cannot continue if the goal is to achieve peace in the region."
Hamas announced the deaths of five of its members in the Israeli raid on Doha last week, stressing that the assassination attempt on its negotiating delegation "failed."
Security Assessment: Iraq a Possible Target
Internally, European reports revealed an urgent security assessment submitted to Al-Sudani indicating that Iraq could be a potential target for any Israeli escalation.
Radio Monte Carlo Doualiya reported that the Parliamentary Security Committee quoted Iraqi intelligence and the National Security Advisor as assessing that Israel views Iraq as Hezbollah's new strategic depth after losing the Syrian arena, in addition to being the center of the largest Iranian activity.
These developments come as the US Congress revoked the 2002 authorization for the use of force against Iraq, a move that could change the rules of engagement and open the door to attempts to redraw military response options, potentially leading to escalation scenarios extending to Iraq, Lebanon, and Syria, according to Western reports.
These reports also indicate that pro-Iranian armed groups in Iraq had previously threatened to target American and Israeli interests if the conflict expanded, reflecting the fragility of the security situation and confirming the ability of these factions to turn Iraq into an arena of confrontation.
Who would have expected Qatar to be targeted before Iraq?
Ahmed al-Yasiri, an Iraqi political researcher based in Australia, told Al-Mada: "All Arab countries are concerned about similar Israeli attacks, but targeting Qatar has changed analysts' view of the Netanyahu government's actions in the region."
He added: "Who would have expected Qatar to be targeted before Iraq? That was not on the table."
Al-Yasiri pointed out that "the danger extends to Arab countries that have land and maritime borders with Israel, such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, in addition to Turkey, which may engage in a direct confrontation, as well as Iran, which is preparing for a second round of Israeli targeting, with China and Pakistan entering the line as guarantor states in the event that Tel Aviv threatens to use nuclear weapons."
He stressed that "the issue goes beyond Iraqi fears alone, so Baghdad's initiatives must come within a joint Arab and Islamic framework, and not as a unilateral response, as it is unable to confront the situation alone."
In this context, Al-Sudani held a phone call last week with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to discuss the Israeli attack on Qatar and emphasize the need to "activate the mechanisms of joint Arab and Islamic action."
Iraq in the Gray Zone
On the other hand, Al-Yasiri indicates that Israel may target Iraq because it is part of the "Iranian alliance," as Tel Aviv sees it, while Baghdad currently stands in the "gray zone," facing internal crises.
Al-Yasiri explained that "Iraq is approaching elections soon and is not prepared for any military response. This is in addition to the faltering security relationship with the United States, the lack of clarity in cooperation with NATO, and the fear of a return of ISIS. These are all factors that affect the possibility of formulating any strategy to confront Israel."
Last week, Ammar al-Hakim, a leader in the Coordination Framework, said that "Iraq has become today at the heart of events taking place in the region and the world." During a sermon he delivered at a religious ceremony in Baghdad, he called on all political forces to unify internal efforts to distance the country from any dangers that might threaten it.
A Roadmap to Avoid War
For his part, former Iraqi diplomat Ghazi Faisal believes that Baghdad must adopt a policy of "realistic neutrality" to avoid entering into open wars with Israel.
Faisal told Al-Mada: "This requires consolidating the strategic partnership with the United States within the framework of the 2008 agreement, opening up to the global economy to confront corruption, halt the smuggling of Iraqi or Iranian oil, and prevent Iraq from turning into an arena for armed factions loyal to Tehran."
He added, "Iraq will either be a partner of Washington or a strategic ally of Iran. In the latter case, it will pay a heavy price, as Tehran is considered, from the American perspective, the world's leading sponsor of terrorism."
Faisal warned that Iraq's continued "double game" will make it a potential target for both Washington and Tel Aviv, calling for the activation of "preventive diplomacy" with the US embassy in Baghdad to spare the country the fate of "Iran," with its ongoing threats, assassinations, and the possibility of regime change.
The Foreign Minister arrives in Doha to participate in the emergency meeting of Arab foreign ministers and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein arrived in the Qatari capital, Doha, on Sunday to participate in the emergency joint meeting of foreign ministers of member states of the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that this meeting is being held to discuss the repercussions of the aggression committed by the Israeli entity against the sisterly State of Qatar, and to consult on the unified Arab and Islamic positions towards these violations.
Iraq becomes head of Interpol's cybercrime task force
The Ministry of Interior announced, on Sunday (September 14, 2025), that it had been appointed as the head of the Cybercrime Task Force of the International Police Organization (INTERPOL) for the Gulf States, the Middle East, and North Africa.
The ministry confirmed in a statement received by Baghdad Today that "the selection of Brigadier General Hassan Hadi Lathiz as Director of its Cybersecurity Directorate came after a competitive process involving experts from the Gulf states, the Middle East, and North Africa. The process was based on interviews and international standards, and the selection was based on experience and skills in the field of cybersecurity."
She noted that "this assignment complements his work as an international cybersecurity expert within the INTERPOL Cybersecurity Expert Group, a role that has enabled him to contribute to supporting global efforts to enhance digital security and address complex cyber challenges."
The ministry affirmed that "earning this trust is a great honor and a major responsibility for the Director of Cybersecurity to represent Iraq in this important international forum, where it plays a pivotal role with various countries in building a more secure and stable cyberspace."
She stressed that "collective responsibility and international cooperation are the means to address accelerating digital challenges, contributing to serving our societies and achieving sustainable digital security that serves all of humanity."
Ansar Allah: Targeting the occupied territories with four drones
Venezuelans prepare for a possible war with the United States.
Thousands of volunteers responded to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's call to head to military barracks to learn how to use weapons in preparation for a possible war with the United States, vowing to meet American soldiers "with bullets" if they set foot on their country's soil.
According to Agence France-Presse, Pedro Arias, 62, said: "If the Americans come with their war machines, we will meet them with bullets!"
Maduro has been calling on people to join armed groups in recent weeks, calling on reservists, armed men, and young people to head to military barracks to "learn how to shoot" and "defend the homeland." Meanwhile, the United States has deployed warships to the Caribbean as part of an anti-drug operation that Maduro considers a "threat."
At Fort Tiuna, a large military zone in Caracas, volunteers get out of buses and cars coming from all over the capital. They wear civilian or military clothing, or even clothing associated with their groups: the National Electricity Company, the Socialist Motorcyclists, the Caracas Municipal Combat Group, the prison authorities, or state television.
There are also people in their thirties and forties in sportswear, as well as young people.
Victoria, 16, Michael, 20, José, 18, and Miguel, 17, members of the pro-government Futuro organization, insist they want to “learn” so they can “defend themselves against outsiders… with their bare fists if necessary.”
Volunteers are led from the huge square to the shooting range.
There, an officer addresses the new arrivals in a firm tone: “I don’t need old men. I need committed people who are ready to take up arms and confront the enemy. You are here to receive military training. This will not be a war” in the form of street clashes and protests.
“There will not be stones and guns,” he adds, “but weapons of war.”
Protests following Maduro's controversial re-election in 2024 resulted in the deaths of around 30 people.
US President Donald Trump deployed military forces to the Caribbean, citing the fight against drug cartels as a justification, sparking tensions with Venezuela. Washington accuses Maduro himself of running a drug trafficking network.
Maduro denies any connection to the drug trade, despite the conviction of two of his wife's nephews in New York on cocaine trafficking charges.
Military authorities did not allow AFP to enter the training and shooting range at Fort Tiuna, but opened the doors of the famous military barracks overlooking Caracas, "4F" (February 4), where the mausoleum of the late President Hugo Chavez is located.
Around 200 people were invited to attend tactical and strategic courses, including an explanation of the US intervention in Panama (1989) and how to use Kalashnikov rifles and pistols.
Volunteers were required to disassemble and reassemble them, as well as to fire in the air without ammunition.
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