The Financial Times reported on the economic crisis that the Iran War is causing for Iraq. It said that Baghdad has lost around $5.4 billion since the start of the conflict and it only has 1-2 months worth of cash to cover government salaries. The Central Bank on the other hand said its reserves could cover 12 months worth of oil exports. The problem is by law the bank can’t cover the government’s budget so it has to issue bonds or some other means to provide money. Government salaries and benefits are the largest part of the budget because adding public workers is the main means that the ruling parties have to maintain their support. Before the war Baghdad was running into problems meeting its obligations because of low oil prices. Now it is barely making any money with the Strait of Hormuz closed.
Every day the pro-Iran Resistance claims around two dozen or more operations in Iraq and the Middle East. Only two incidents have been reported so far but the factions are having an impact on the conflict. That was shown when Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Jordan issued a joint communique calling on Baghdad to immediately halt attacks by the Resistance. The issue is that the Iraqi government has no control over these groups who were formed and funded by Tehran.
The Iraqi army was targeted twice. First the 11th Division shot down a drone in Kirkuk. Then the 79th Brigade’s camp in Rutba, Anbar was hit by a drone. The base is used by the military to launch its own drones. It was not reported who was responsible for these two incidents.
Two Turkmen Hashd Brigades the 61st and 63rd were attacked in Kirkuk and Salahaddin respectively. An abandoned facility behind the 79th Hashd Brigade was also targeted by a plane. It was previously used to manufacture drones.
Finally, Turkey was the latest member of the NATO mission to withdraw its troops from Iraq because of the war. The international forces were operating in Baghdad to train the Iraqi military.
SOURCES
Bas News, “Six Arab States Urge Iraq to Curb Militia Attacks, Affirm Right to Self-Defence,” 3/26/26
Kurdistan 24, "PMF 61st Brigade Base in Kirkuk’s Dibis District Targeted,” 3/26/26
Rudaw, “Iraqi army downs drone over Kirkuk after attacks in Anbar,” 3/26/26
Salem, Amr, “Turkey pulls out its forces from Iraq,” Iraqi News, 3/26/26
Al-Smarraie, Jawad, “Financial Times: Iraq faces economic collapse as oil losses hit $5.4B,” Iraqi News, 3/26/26
Shafaq News, “An “unidentified” attack targeted a “disused” military airport in western Iraq,” 3/26/26
- “Warplanes target a Popular Mobilization Forces headquarters east of Salah al-Din,” 3/26/26
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