PM Sudani (2022-Present)

2022

Oct 13 Fmr Water Min Latif Rasheed elected president Sent letter to Coordination

Framework PM candidate Mohammed al-Sudani to form new govt

(Musings On Iraq 1 Yr After Elections Iraq Finally Has A New Govt)

 

Oct 15 PM designate Sudani said he would find out what happened to missing $2.5 bil

missing from tax authority Was withdrawn from Rafidain Bank in Aug and Sep 2021 and sent to 5 companies Scandal originally announced in Sep

(Musings On Iraq PM Sudani Plays Politics With Iraq’s Latest Corruption Scandal)

(Musings On Iraq Corruption In Iraq An Interview With Stuart Bowen Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Trouble Fighting Corruption Interview With Vincent Foulk Former US Anti-Graft Official)

 

Oct 20 Report Man in Baghdad said Defense Min soldiers confiscated his house Soldiers

working for political parties confiscated real estate in 3 areas of Baghdad More than one investigation launched into matter but blocked by parties Officers also extorted money from alcohol stores and nightclubs

 

Oct 27 PM Sudani’s cabinet was confirmed by parliament with 21 ministers

(Musings On Iraq 1 Yr After Elections Iraq Finally Has A New Govt)

 

Oct 28 Report Sadr won 73 of 329 seats in parliament in 2021 election Wanted majority govt

Jun Sadr ordered MPs to resign Jul stormed and occupied parliament Aug occupied parliament again Sadr challenged idea about Shiite controlled state as he was going to exclude most of the Shiite parties Sadr played upon instability before to achieve his goals where he caused crisis to undermine opponents Sadr hoped KDP and Sunni list would resign with him but didn’t Instead KDP and Sunnis talked with Coordination Framework Sadr pushed reforms to mobilize his base Sadr convinced many he was protest leader which helped him win election After 2018 vote expanded control of state but didn’t help his base High unemployment amongst Sadrists despite control of state and expansion of govt workers meant jobs didn’t keep pace with population growth

 

Oct 30 PM Sudani met with Integrity Commission and said his govt would work to fight

corruption

 

Nov 1 Kurdistan Islamic Union MPs resigned from KRG parliament Said extending term of

legislature was illegal

 

Nov 2 Report PM Sudani fired all the top officials named by PM Kazemi New intel head

close to Hashd New Joint Ops Command head was close to Hashd leader Abu Muhandis Head of PM’s media office went to Kataib Hezbollah

Nov 2 Report Sudani wanted to replace special grades roughly 10,000 positions with mostly

Dawa members Under PM Maliki Dawa had 70% of special grades Then Sadrists took most of them Positions have constantly been expanded to allow them to be filled by ruling parties

 

Nov 28 PM Sudani announced Muhandis General Company Controlled by pro-Iran Hashd

Gave them entry into Iraqi economy and govt contracts

 

Nov 30 IS said its leader Abu al-Hassan al-Hashemi al-Qurashi was killed and Abu al-

Hussein al-Husseini al-Qurashi was its new leader

 

Dec 6 Hashd controlled Muhandis General Company got 1.2 mil acres of govt land in

southern Iraq free

 

Dec 7 2 protesters killed in Dhi Qar by police demonstrating against activist getting 3 yrs for

insulting Hashd

 

Dec 21 Report PM Kazemi’s anti-corruption committee tortured detainees 1 might have died

from torture 2020 Human Rights Min said prisoners were tortured 2021 parliamentary comm said suspects tortured Some arrests appeared to be political going after opponents of Kazemi ally Sadr Committee told detainees that if they paid back stolen money or turned over assets would be released Money then taken by officials Committee was disbanded by court in Mar 2022

 

2023

Jan 5 Report US asked Iraqi banks to join network to stop money smuggling out of Iraq but

only around 20 banks joined and some of them still smuggling Banks created fake airline tickets from travel companies and used them to buy dollars in Central Bank auctions to be smuggled out of Iraq Around $100-$250 mil smuggled out of Iraq every week At least ½ money went to Iran Rest to 3 neighboring countries Oil sales are turned into dollars and almost immediately auctioned off and then sent out of Iraq

Jan 5 Report Iraq facing housing crisis and sky rocketing prices Real estate used to launder

money Analyst said $1 bil used to buy 55 properties in Baghdad and another $1 bil for other properties

 

Jan 10 Report Southern marshes shrinking and being polluted Experts warned if south didn’t

get more water and land managed better marshes could disappear Would lead to further migration to cities Jul 2022 govt said water reserves dropped 60% from 2021 Lack of fresh water meant sea water moving northwards Sea water destroyed 24,000 hectares of farm land and 30,000 trees in south Climate change reducing rainfall Increasing temperatures which is evaporating reservoirs and streams UN said Iraq 5^th most vulnerable country to climate change Iraq talked with neighbors about increasing water down rivers with no results

Jan 10 Report KRG cut price of its oil which was already discounted Came after Iraq Supreme

Court ruled KRG’s oil deals illegal KRG changed way companies calculated invoices to shift risks to them

 

Jan 11 Report Parliament’s finance comm said 2023 budget would add more than 3.5 mil new

jobs Salaries would go from 42 tril dinars to 60 tril dinars Used by political parties for patronage and theft Would be unsustainable in long run

 

Jan 12 Human Rights Watch Criticized KRG for arresting journalists in Irbil Dohuk Sheikhan

before Aug 2021 protests and sentencing of 3 journalists activists to 6 yrs in Irbil

Jan 12 Report 2023 budget would include 450,000 new jobs All patronage for ruling parties

and unsustainable

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s New Govt Pushes For Huge Increase In Govt Jobs For Patronage)

Jan 12 Report Many positions in Defense Min being changed by new ruling parties to meet

quotas Said loyalty to politicians more important than competency

Jan 12 Report Restaurants and malls in Baghdad used for money laundering by corrupt

politicians and figures under US sanctions

 

Jan 15 PM Barzani said PUK had mismanaged Sulaymaniya Officials interfered in

province’s revenues and manipulated them for their own gain Said reason why govt workers not paid Said PUK would not turn over suspects in assassination of Peshmerga officer in Irbil

(Musings On Iraq KRG’s PM Barzani Blasts The PUK)

 

Jan 17 Metro Center for Journalists Rights reported 431 violations against journalists in

KRG 24 physical attacks upon journalists 64 arrests, 1 media outlet shut down 6 cyber attacks 2 rocket attacks

 

Jan 18 Former Electricity Min Fahdawi said 100,000 workers in ministry redundant

 

Jan 20 Report US trying to block dollars being bought at Central Bank of Iraq auctions and

sent to other countries like Syria Russia Lebanon Treasury and Federal Reserve officials sent to Iraq to enforce new rules All dollar purchases now have to be entered into e-form and confirmed by US and Iraqi officials 80% of requests denied last 2 months Central Bank of Iraq banned 4 banks from taking part in auctions 

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Suffers As Dollar Increases In Value)

 

Jan 21 Report Around 200-300 buyers who purchase dollars for political parties and then

move them out of Iraq ISF arrested a number of buyers in Baghdad Buy $2.5 mil-$5 mil/day

Jan 21 Report New US restrictions on buying dollars causing crisis for Iraqi govt Oil main

source of revenue and sold for dollars Were then converted into dinars at Central Bank of Iraq auctions New rules slowed process meant govt couldn’t pay govt worker salaries and other bills

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Suffers As Dollar Increases In Value)

 

Jan 23 PM Sudani fired head of Central Bank of Iraq over devaluation of dinar Scapegoated

because dinar pegged to dollar which was increasing due to Fed Reserve raising interest rates to fight inflation in US

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Suffers As Dollar Increases In Value)

 

Jan 25 Federal Supreme Court said Baghdad sending monthly payments to KRG was illegal

Suit filed by independent MP from Basra aligned with Coordination Framework Abdul Mahdi Kazemi and Sudani govts all sent monthly payments to KRG without budget agreement

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Supreme Court Strikes Down Sending Money To Kurdistan Throwing Wrench Into PM Sudani’s Govt)

 

Jan 28 Report Oil trader Trafigura Group stopped doing business with KRG Tried to

renegotiate contract but KRG PM Barzani dropped out of meeting Tafigura advanced millions to KRG starting in 2015 as region got into dispute with Baghdad over budget and oil contracts Jun 2022 KRG owed $3.5 bil to oil buyers $620 mil stuck in Lebanese banks due to country’s financial crisis

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Jan 31 Sudani govt said it wanted to return all displaced and close all displaced camps in 6

months

(Musings On Iraq Sudani Latest PM To Claim he Will End Iraq’s Displaced Problem)

 

Feb 14 Report Jul 2021 KRG Natural Resource Min told oil companies had to stop flaring

natural gas at oil fields in 18 months Didn’t happen Would mean oil companies would have to invest in natural gas equipment when KRG was not regularly paying them and owed them millions Was due to KRG’s failed oil policy

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Feb 21 Iraq signed deal with Crescent Petroleum to develop 3 natural gas fields PM Sudani

said Iraq wanted to be self-sufficient in natural gas production by 2026

 

Feb 22 Lahur Talabani said he would claim co-head of PUK after Irbil court decision ruled in

his favor over matter Jul 2021 Bafel Talabani declared himself sold president of PUK and moved to push Lahur out of his position

 

Mar 2 Report Oil production in KRG fell for 3^rd yr in a row 2019 KRG production peaked at

484,000 bar/day Was down to 438,000 bar/day in 2022 Problem is KRG still not consistently paying oil companies They warned production could continue to drop if not paid consistently and on time Natural Resource Min has made unilateral changes to cut profits to oil companies to pay for its bloated public sector Needs $600 mil/mo to pay KRG govt workers KRG raised pipeline fees on companies Changed prices formula to reduce amount paid to companies KRG also largely cut off from budget payments from Baghdad because can’t agree on oil policy and budget KRG also billions in debt Oil prices fell end of 2022 which imposed more financial problems on KRG Khor Mor gas field attacked in 2022 that cut back expansion of field KDP and PUK in political dispute over control of KRG and has blocked building pipeline to Khor Mor to Turkey

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Mar 8 Around 1000 street cleaners went on strike in Irbil over not being paid for 6 months Part

of KRG’s financial woes due to failed oil policy

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Mar 9 PM Sudani agreed to send 400 bil dinars to KRG despite Supreme Court ruling that

sending money to regional govt illegal Was done to maintain Kurdish support for Sudani’s govt

(Musings On Iraq Sudani Govt Sends Budget Payments To Kurds To Keep Ruling Coalition Together)

 

Mar 22 Displacement Min Jabro said Sudani govt wanted to end displacement problem in 6

mo Said govt needed to rebuild fmr war areas provide security services infrastructure to encourage people to return Didn’t happen

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Govt Wants To End Displacement In 6 Months)

 

Mar 25 Intl Arbitration Court ruled Turkey violated bilateral treaty with Iraq by exporting

KRG’s oil Turkey halted both Iraqi and KRG oil flows through pipeline Iraq wanted Turkey to pay $58 bil in damages Court only said Turkey had to pay $1.4 bil Court also said Iraq had to pay Turkey around $600 mil for unpaid fees on using pipeline

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Wins Arbitration Case Against Turkey Exporting KRG’s Oil)

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Mar 25 Turkey closed pipeline to Iraq after lost arbitration court Refused to open it for

months afterwards

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Now Stating The Obvious, It’s Up To Turkey To Re-Open Oil Pieline)

 

Mar 27 Parliament amended Election Law to return to old system of having each province be

a single voting district Helps large parties win elections

(Musings On Iraq Coordination Framework Moves To Re-Write Iraq’s Election Rules)

Mar 27 Turkey shut down oil pipeline to Iraq in retaliation for losing arbitration case Denied

KRG of its main source of revenue

 

Mar 28 Report Claims Iraq wanted to be ambiguous over whether it had WMD to deter

Iran and that secular Saddam wouldn’t work with Islamist Al Qaeda persist but not true Iraq tried to hide its WMD from inspectors When started to come clean UN and US believed that proved Iraq hiding its programs and punished it to try to get more info but backfired Made Iraq not want to cooperate 1994 Iraqi Intel Service made contact with bin Laden in Sudan Iraqis met bin Laden in 1995 Asked for Iraq to broadcast Salafi preacher into Saudi Arabia and asked for joint ops vs US in Saudi Arabia Saddam okayed radio broadcasts Intel service wanted to look into further cooperation with bin Laden After he was deported from Sudan and went to Afghanistan in 1996 intel service said it still had contact with him Nothing came of it Iraq supported other jihadist groups Saddam opposed to Salafis in Iraq but willing to work with them in other countries if helped Iraq’s interests

 

Mar 29 Report Wars devastated Iraq’s infrastructure Made it more vulnerable to climate

change Temps continue to rise and water declining leading to constant droughts Water reserve down 50% in 2023 New Turkish dam cut 60% of water down Tigris Dried up wetlands in south Iraq Rising temps and droughts also increased sand/dust storms Environ Min said sand/dust storms increasing each yr Most farming based upon small farms that rely upon rain Declining due to droughts Led to desertification Iraq losing 100 sq km of arable land Desertification forcing farmers to abandon land and move to cities Oil dependency led Iraq to ignore climate change Failed to capture natural gas created at oil wells Releases carbon emissions that increase global warming and Iraq’s temperature and water problems Oil companies have refused to follow rules on gas emissions

 

Apr 14 Report Sadr froze his movement over sinful acts by followers Said would last at least a

year Never happened

 

Apr 18 Displacement Min closed displaced camp in Ninewa Said it was part of govt plan to

end displacement Gave 300 families 2 days notice Locked aid workers out of camp

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Govt Wants To End Displacement In 6 Months)

 

Apr 24 Hashd controlled Muhandis General Company took over around 20 blocks of

property in west Baghdad

 

Apr 26 PM Sudani said that with gas auctions and deal with Total Iraq would be self-

sufficient in natural gas and be an exporter in 3-5 yrs

 

May 7 Police officer convicted of assassination analyst and govt advisor Hisham al-Hashemi in

Baghdad and given death penalty Officer was released instead

 

May 9 Report Feb 2023 Iran shipped military aid to Syria with help of Iraq using

humanitarian aid after earthquake in Syria as cover Trucked equipment across Iraq using pro-Iran Hashd units and Quds Force Arms shipments started day after earthquake Included Chief of Staff of Hashd Commission Abu Fadak

 

May 14 PUK ended boycott of KRG cabinet Started in 2022 over rivalry with KDP over

controlling region PUK gained nothing

 

May 22 KDP said vote took place to re-activate KRG Election Comm for Nov voting PUK

said there was no vote after speaker of KRG parliament from PUK cancelled session Was reversed by her deputy Led to fight between MPs

 

May 25 Oil Min signed contracts with four oil traders that bought much of KRG’s oil exports

Part of Baghdad-Irbil oil deal

 

May 30 Federal Supreme Court ruled that KRG parliament extending its term in 2022 was

unconstitutional and all its decisions afterwards were null and void

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Supreme Court Could Stall KRG Elections And Threaten Federalism)

 

Jun 4 Irbil court sentenced PUK’s Counter Terror chief Halabiaye and 5 others for

assassination of colonel on KRG Security Council Was killed in Oct 2022 after he switched to KDP

 

Jun 29 Sadrists stormed the Swedish embassy in Baghdad after and Iraqi in Sweden burned

the Quran Protests would last for a week Marked Sadr’s return to politics after he failed to form the new govt in Oct 2022

(Musings On Iraq Sadr Finally Returns To The Political Scene By Telling His Followers To Protest In The Streets)

 

Jul 2 Malaysia’s Petronas told Oil Min it wanted to sell its shares in Gharraf oil field in Dhi

Qar Was not happy with business in Iraq Latest oil company to withdraw from country

(Musings On Iraq Malaysia’s Petronas Latest Oil Company To Want Out Of Iraq)

 

Jul 3 Report 1000s of dead fish appeared in Maysan due to high salinity and water pollution

Major cause lack of water down Tigris River

Jul 3 Report Member of Election Comm said ruling parties would exploit state’s resources in

election campaigns which was illegal

(Musings On Iraq Ruling Parties Seek To Control Iraq’s Election Comm Before Dec Vote)

 

Jul 6 Oil Ministry said Iraq wanted to achieve self-sufficiency in natural gas by 2028

 

Jul 11 Sadrists protested outside presidential palace in Basra Demanded that Asaib Ahl Al-

Haq vacate the complex Sadrists and Asaib Ahl Al-Haq longtime rivals Was warning to Sadr’s opponents that he was back on the political scene

(Musings On Iraq Sadr Finally Returns To The Political Scene By Telling His Followers To Protest In The Streets)

Jul 11 After Iran cut off natural gas exports to Iraq twice during the summer Sudani govt

announced it would trade crude and heavy fuel to Iran in exchange for electricity and gas to fuel power plants Iran couldn’t use the crude Iraq deposited money to pay Iran but Tehran couldn’t access all of it due to US sanctions Was meant to stave off protests

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Blames US For Power Shortages To Defer From Its Own Failings)

Jul 11 UN warned current heatwave could reduce Iraq’s southern marshes to lowest level in

yrs

 

Jul 12 Water Min said Iraq in talks with Turkey over water shortages Min said it had 2 plans

1^st to release more water from dams and reservoirs for farming 2^nd was better distribution and water management Iraq had no water reserves to release

 

Jul 15 Sadrists attacked 20 Dawa and State of Law offices in 10 provinces Warning to his

rivals that Sadr was back on political scene Came after State of Law figure said Ayatollah Sadiq al-Sadr worked with Saddam

(Musings On Iraq Sadr Finally Returns To The Political Scene By Telling His Followers To Protest In The Streets)

 

Jul 16 Sadrists attacked 5 Dawa offices Badr offices in Baghdad and Najaf Grenade thrown

at Labor Min office who is from Coordination Framework

(Musings On Iraq Sadr Finally Returns To The Political Scene By Telling His Followers To Protest In The Streets)

 

Jul 20 Moody’s report Iraq had weak credit due to poor institutions and governance Weak

institutions made policy ineffective and hurt competitiveness Oil dependence made it vulnerable to energy market Political fragmentation and outside tensions high youth unemployment make it high risk IMF said non-oil economy shrunk 9% last qtr 2022 IMF said Iraq needed fiscal discipline Structural reform

Jul 20 Sadrists stormed Swedish embassy in Baghdad for 2^nd time after Quran stomped on in

Sweden Swedish ambassador expelled Iraq cut diplomatic relations with Sweden and suspended contract with Ericsson

 

Jul 21 Report Water Min said water reserves reached all time low Iraq on verge of large scale

water scarcity UN said Iraq 5^th most vulnerable to climate change Said 90% of rivers polluted Would only meet 15% of water demand by 2035 Almost 70% of marshes dried up

 

Jul 25 Defense Comm said large displacement from villages and rural areas due to water

shortages

Jul 25 KRG Finance Min Janab said KRG’s income not enough to pay its govt workers

Blamed new budget for taking away 50% of region’s domestic income KRG wasn’t delivering money to Baghdad Was due to KRG’s failed oil policy

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Jul 31 World Bank predicted problems for Iraq’s econ in 2023 GDP would shrink due to

predicted oil production cuts Little reform Not much growth in non-oil sector and corruption would restrain long term growth Criticized budget for excessive spending Said budget didn’t include diversification of economy

 

Aug 2 100s of doctors protested in Sulaymaniya and Halabja over not being paid by KRG for

Jun and Jul Due to KRG’s failed oil policy

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Aug 8 Water Min spokesman said water reserves at lowest level in history Said water levels

almost half level of 2022 Said water down coming form Tigris and Euphrates Early in 2023 ministry said water reserves dropped from 60 bil to 5 bil

 

Aug 9 Report Think tank said lack of political will in Baghdad has meant no solution to water

crisis Said govt neglected problem Talks with other countries over last 20 yrs inconsistent Water Min is not considered important by Iraqi elite Accepted promises by Turkey that dams would not harm Iraq when they did 2019 memo of understanding with Turkey and Syria over water never followed Waer Min told not to talk with Iran about water Iraq almost completely dependent upon Tigris and Euphrates because rainfall so law 90% of water comes from 2 rivers 71% of river water comes from Turkey 7% from Iran 4% from Syria Water down rivers dropped almost 50% from 2019 to 2020 Lack of govt plan has increased drought Turkey and Iran continue to build more dams which will negatively impact Iraq Since 1974 Turkey built 22 dams Iran built more than 10 Climate change cut annual rainfall by 30% and will get worse

 

Aug 12 PM Sudani said Iraq would end reliance upon Iranian natural gas by 2026 Claimed

strategic plan would reduce need for imports Claimed all problems with Iran had been settled

(Musings On Iraq Iraq Blames U.S. For Power Shortages To Defer From Its Own Failings)

 

Aug 13 Water Min said water down rivers increased after talks with Turkey Said good

management could address water crisis Said more water in storage to cover all projects Storage system was actually running dry

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Water Storage Which Was Supposed To Help Get Through 3^rd Yr Of Drought Running Dry)

 

Aug 14 UN Development Programme warned Iraq losing 400,000 dunums of farmland each

yr Iraq ranked 5^th most vulnerable to climate change Said temperatures increased in Iraq 2-7 times faster than other countries 2020-21 driest seasons in 40 yrs Water down Tigris down 29% Euphrates down 73%

Aug 14 Report No tourist business in Anbar’s Lake Habaniya because water dried up due to 4

yrs of drought

 

Aug 16 PUK announced changed party’s bylaws Allowed Bafel Talabani to consolidate

control over it

 

Aug 17 Report Ruling parties using money they stole to fund their election campaign

(Musings On Iraq Ruling Parties Seek To Control Iraq’s Election Comm Before Dec Vote)

 

Aug 20 Parliament’s water committee said water storage levels reached dead level Blamed

govt for not making deals with foreign countries to increase water flow down rivers

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Water Storage Which Was Supposed To Help Get Through 3^rd Yr Of Drought Running Dry)

 

Aug 24 Iraq announced preliminary deal to import natural gas from Turkmenistan to fuel

power plants No infrastructure existed to deliver the gas Analysts said would take 2 yrs to build pipelines that would go through Turkey

 

Aug 26 Parliament’s oil committee said it supported Sudani govt’s goal to nearly double oil

production to 8 mil/bar/day by 2027 Also wanted to become self-sufficient in natural gas Said it expected huge foreign investment to finance plans

(Musings On Iraq Sudani Govt Wants To Make Iraq More Oil Dependent)

 

Sep 4 KRG said federal funds not enough to pay region’s govt workers Baghdad sent $382 bil

KRG needed $717 bil for all its bills KRG officials attacked budget for being unfair Was due to KRG’s failed oil policy

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Sep 11 UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said Iraq facing emergency over climate

change Said Iraq losing its resources like dates and water

 

Sep 14 Report US Treasury officials told Central Bank of Iraq it needs to impose new rules on

banks for fraud money laundering and breaking sanctions by sending money to Iran

 

Sep 19 Report Pollution in Tigris River 90% Lack of water down river failing to flush out

pollution Water Min had no solution

 

Sep 21 Democratic Forces for Change party accused 2 lists of putting their people into

Election Comm Feared they would use them to cheat in Dec election

(Musings On Iraq Ruling Parties Seek To Control Iraq’s Election Comm Before Dec Vote)

Sep 21 Report Closing of Turkish pipeline causing economic problems in KRG Had to fire

workers and cut salaries Oil companies began layoffs 80% of KRG’s income came from oil

 

Sep 22 Sulaymaniya teachers went on strike over KRG not paying them Due to KRG’s failed

oil policy

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

 

Oct 4 Report Hashd groups were keeping 2000 displaced families from returning to Dour in

Salahaddin Claim it was because of lack of security Were no security problems in Salahaddin

 

Oct 8 Report Baghdad Green Belt project to plant 100s of trees to combat climate change

barely completed Iraqi govts talk about tackling environment but do little

Oct 8 Report French research center said 36 Iraqi billionaires 16,000 millionaires Were heads

of political parties Militia cmdrs Directors of companies affiliated with them and foreign countries MPs Ministers Lived life of luxury

 

Oct 10 Report MP said ruling parties still manipulating Central Bank of Iraq dollar auctions

through banks they controlled

 

Oct 16 Report Nature Iraq warned southern marshes disappearing Comes as Iraq facing worst

drought in years Officials said more than 85% of Dhi Qar marshes dried up Programs to address problem not working

Oct 16 Report Hezbollah al-Nujafa fighter killed in Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon

 

Oct 18 Pro-Iran groups attacked Al-Asad airbase in Anbar and Al-Harir airbase in Irbil

targeting US troops for Washington’s support of Israel in Gaza War

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Groups Renew Attacks Upon US Targets In Retaliation For Gaza War)

 

Oct 19 Report Water Minister said neighboring countries weren’t following agreements to

increase water flow down rivers Sudani govt claimed Turkey had increased water flow during summer to help with drought

 

Oct 23 Biden admin said Iran facilitating attacks upon US troops in Iraq and Syria Said

groups were carrying out attacks with backing of Iranian Revolutionary Guard

 

Nov 4 Report Shabak Hashd collecting voter cards east of Mosul claiming it was for security

Also collected voter cards in Mosul suburb Gogjali

 

Nov 9 Report DNO told KRG oil companies will not produce for exports until late payments

re resolved KRG owes oil companies over $300 mil for 2022 and 2023 oil exports

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Kurdistan’s Failed Independent Oil Strategy)

Nov 9 Fighting between Asaib Ahl Al-Gaq and Sadr’s Saraya al-Salm in Basra 2 killed

 

Nov 10 ExxonMobil singed transfer agreement with Oil Min to sell its last shares in West

Qurna 1 filed to PetroChina Afterward ExxonMobil will be completely out of Iraq Already exited KRG  ExxonMobil latest major oil corporation to depart

(Musings On Iraq ExxonMobil Latest Major Oil Company To Leave Iraq)

 

Nov 13 Sadr called for his followers to boycott the Dec provincial elections in hopes to

delegitimize them

(Musings On Iraq Sadr Calls For Boycott Of Iraq’s Dec Election)

 

Nov 21 Report Almost 1 mil students in Sulaymaniya out of school for 2 mo due to teachers’

strike over KRG not paying them 2016 teachers went on strike for same reason KRG dependent upon budget payments from Baghdad Got money but only enough to pay for current salaries not past ones

 

Nov 21 Pro-Iran groups fired ballistic missile at Al-Asad Airbase in Anbar wounded 8 US

personnel Biden admin struck several Hashd targets in retaliation 8 killed 4 wounded

(Musings On Iraq Security In Iraq Nov 15-21, 2023)

 

Nov 27 Report Gaza War increased splits between pro-Iran groups Sudani govt embarrassed

by on going attacks by factions against US forces in Iraq Some groups wanted to escalate attacks others against Groups used to meet as part of Coordination Framework but now act as the Islamic Resistance Kataib Hezbollah said it, Ansar Allah al-Awifya, Harakat al-Nujaba, Al-Shuhada Brigades were the Resistance Didn’t include Asaib Ahl Al-Haq

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)

(Musings On Iraq Iraq’s Sheikh Akram Al-Kaabi and Hezbollah al-Nujaba)

 

Nov 29 Report Election Comm said it expected lowest turnout ever for an Iraqi election in

Dec Said it was aware of political parties illegally using govt funds and exploiting their influence

Nov 29 Report Parties in Diyala buying voter cards to cheat in Dec election Other parties

intimidating voters

Nov 29 Sudani govt said it was trying to deal with parties blackmailing voters by offering

services in return for their voter cards MP said parties paying 75,000-100,000 dinars to buy a single voter card

 

Dec 3 Pro-Iran groups fired rockets from western Ninewa at US military base in eastern Syria

 

Dec 5 Report Pro-Iran groups divided over where to take attacks on US forces Kataib

Hezbollah mocked Asaib Ahl Al-Haq as cowards Kataib Hezbollah listed Resistance factions and didn’t include Asaib Ahl Al-Haq

(Musings On Iraq Asaib Ahl Al-Haq From A Breakaway Sadr Militia To Defenders Of Iraq)

(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)

 

Dec 6 Sadrists attacked Hikma offices in 3 parts of Baghdad and in Diyala and Basra after

Hikma leader criticized Sadr’s boycott of 2023 provincial elections

(Musings On Iraq Sadrists Attack Their Rivals Before Iraq’s Dec Election)

 

Dec 7 Pro-Iran groups fired rockets at Green Zone for first time since October 2022

 

Dec 16 Special voting for security forces and displaced took place in provincial elections

Reports security forces threatened by commanders and govt officials if didn’t vote Was widespread fear of lowest voter turnout in post-03 Iraq

(Musings On Iraq Special Voting For Iraq’s Provincial Elections Occurs Amongst Continued Cheating)

Dec 16 Report Parliament’s migration committee said ruling parties used money for displaced

in election campaigns Labor Min said Badr threatened poor if didn’t vote for it wouldn’t get govt aid

 

Dec 22 Pro-Iran groups launched drone at Israel but shot down over Jordan 1^st reported

attempt on Israel

 

Dec 24 Pro-Iran groups claimed attack upon natural gas platform in Israel 1^st reported

successful attack

 

Dec 25 Drone strike on Irbil airport by pro-Iran groups wounded 3 US soldiers

(Musings On Iraq Security In Iraq Dec 22-28, 2023)

 

Dec 26 Biden admin struck Kataib Hezbollah in 3 areas of Babil and Harakat al-Nujaba in

Wasit 1 killed 24 wounded Retaliation for drone attack on Irbil Airport that wounded 3 US soldiers

(Musings On Iraq Security In Iraq Dec 22-28, 2023)

 

Dec 28 PM Sudani said he was going to move towards having US led Coalition withdraw

from Iraq

 

Dec 30 PM Sudani said he would move towards asking the US led Coalition to leave Iraq after

Biden admin retaliated against Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba that killed 1 Hashd member for attacks on US forces

(Musings On Iraq Iraq May Ask The US-Led Coalition To Leave)

 

2024

Jan 4 US struck Harakat al-Nujaba in Baghdad Killed dep cmdr of Hashd’s Baghdad Belt Ops

Accused of planning attacks on US forces

 

Jan 5 PM Sudani said committee would be formed to talk about US led Coalition withdrawing

form Iraq

 

Jan 11 Report PM Sudani told US officials he wanted US forces to stay in Iraq despite his

calls for withdrawal Got State Dept cable that said Sudani’s advisors told US officials that talk about withdrawal was to appease public

 

Jan 13 Fmr Pres Trump criticized Bush admin for not taking Iraq’s oil after the 2003 invasion

Said US was the only country that destroyed other places and then didn’t take anything to get paid for it

 

Jan 15 Iran fired missiles at alleged Mossad base in Irbil Hit civilian home leading to dead and

wounded

Jan 15 PM Sudani said he wanted US led Coalition to leave Iraq

Jan 15 Fmr PM Abadi said no agreement between ruling parties over US withdrawal Criticized

attacks on US forces in Iraq because they were invited by Baghdad

 

Jan 20 Pro-Iran groups fired 15-20 ballistic missiles at Asad airbase in Anbar Wounded 4 US

soldiers and 1 Iraqi soldier Largest attack by factions to that date

 

Jan 23 Sayid al-Shuhada Brigades announced a naval blockade of Israel in the Mediterranean

Jan 23 US struck Kataib Hezbollah in Anbar and Babil in retaliation for ballistic missile strike

on Asad airbase in Anbar

 

Jan 25 Report US and Iraq agreed to form committee to start talks over American withdrawal

 

Jan 27 Sudani govt held first talks with US about future withdrawal Suspended next day when

pro-Iran groups killed 3 US soldiers in drone strike in Jordan

 

Jan 29 Iranian Rev Guards’ Quds Force cmdr Gen Qaani met with pro-Iran groups in Baghdad

Told them to halt attacks after 3 US soldiers killed in Jordan to avoid retaliation against Iran Led to Kataib Hezbollah announcing ceasefire

 

Jan 30 After being blamed for attack on US troops in Jordan that killed 3 Kataib Hezbollah

announced halt to attacks on US forces

(Musings On Iraq Instrument Of Iran’s Power In Iraq And Syria Kataib Hezbollah)

 

Feb 1 Report Iranian Revolutionary Guard cmdr visited Iraq to try to de-escalate things after

pro-Iran groups killed 3 US soldiers in drone strike in Jordan Led to Kataib Hezbollah announcing truce Coordination Framework MP said it and Tehran both thought factions went too far with attack on Jordan

 

Feb 2 US struck Kataib Hezbollah and Kataib al-Imam Ali in Qaim, Anbar Killed 11 Wounded

42 Retaliation for drone strike in Jordan that killed and wounded US troops

Feb 2 Harakat al-Nujaba said it would continue attacks on US forces

 

Feb 4 Senior Asaib Ahl Al-Haq leader assassinated in Maysan Part of rivalry with Sadr

(Musings On Iraq Sadrists And Asaib Ahl Al-Haq Return To Violence In Southern Iraq)

 

Feb 5 Basra Gov Eidani re-elected Setback for Coordination Framework and Asaib Ahl Al-

Haq that wanted to control province and its oil and gas resources

(Musings On Iraq Coordination Framework Loses In 3 New Provincial Govts In Iraq)

 

Feb 7 US drone strike in Baghdad killed Kataib Hezbollah commander Blamed for planning

attacks on US troops

 

Feb 10 Report After Gaza War began emergency session of Hashd held led by Hashd chief of

staff Abu Fadak Islamic Resistance In Iraq announced and attacks began on US troops in Iraq and Syria afterward Facilitated by Hezbollah and Iran Hezbollah’s Kawtharani coordinated actions Sudani govt made deal with Hashd for truce to allow talks for US withdrawal PM Sudani reportedly told US Sec State Blinken his govt couldn’t take pressure from both US and Iran and that it would lose in the end Shiite MP said pro-Iran attacks had nothing to do with Gaza but gaining more power for Hashd within govt

Feb 10 Coordination Framework won all the top positions in Maysan ending Sadr’s control of

            province

 

Feb 14 Shell withdrew from $11 bil contract to build Nebras Integrated Petrochemical

Complex Deal signed in 2015 Was supposed to be completed by 2021 Didn’t happen

 

Feb 17 Reports Ninewa Gov Dakhil said political parties and Hashd controlled province’s

institutions and exploited them via corruption to make money for themselves Officials said Ninewa tourism and commercial projects had to pay off parties, Asaib Ahl Al-haq, Harakat al-Nujaba, Sayid al-Shuhada, Babylon Brigades Many Christian provinces taken by Hashd

 

Feb 21 Report Sadrists had been fighting Asaib Ahl Al-Haq since Dec election Started in

Basra Offices were burned People killed Assassinations Govt did nothing

 

Mar 4 At conference PM Sudani claimed that Iraq would be self-sufficient in oil derivatives

such as natural gas by May 2024 Didn’t happen

 

Mar 18 Report KRG did not send full data on workers/pensioners to Baghdad to get budget

payments because full of ghost workers and people getting multiple salaries Example some men listed as divorced women on pension lists

 

Mar 30 Court overturned conviction of police officer for assassination of analyst and govt

advisor Hisham al-Hashemi due to lack of evidence Officer was given death penalty but was released instead

 

Mar 24 Report Strikes by KRG govt workers spreading around Sulaymaniya and Halabja

provinces over not being paid for months

 

Mar 26 Report 400,000 govt workers eliminated from KRG payrolls for getting 2 or more

salaries 1 official said some public workers got 3-4 salaries Were 1000s of ghost workers

 

Mar 28 Report Hashd expanded control of Ninewa Controlled projects Blocked some

 

Apr 4 Report Due to disputes with Baghdad over budget KRG only paid its govt workers 9

out of 12 times in 2023 Only 1 out of 3 times in 2024

 

Apr 7 Report Integrity Comm told Central Bank of Iraq that private banks were getting large

loans for investments but instead bought dollars with them and then resold them for a profit

 

Apr 21 Report More than 151,000 people bought dollars for foreign travel but never left Iraq

Money sold on black market for a profit. $600 mil stolen as a result

(Musings On Iraq Latest Corruption Scandal In Iraq $600 Million Stolen Using Fake Foreign Travel)

 

Apr 25 Parliament said it would investigate Iraqi Ports Company and its work on Grand Faw

Port Allegations that $20 bil stolen from project

(Musings On Iraq Problems Completing Iraq’s Grand Faw Port And Development Road)

 

May 4 MP on finance committee said $10 mil stolen a month from Najaf airport

 

May 28 Displacement Min announced cabinet decided to close all displaced camps by Jun

Were 23 camps left Claimed displaced would voluntarily return to their home areas and govt would offer incentives Govt later extended deadline to end of Jul Had little money to help displaced

May 28 Carnegie Institute warned climate change and rising temps would cause huge crisis in

Iraq By 2025 predicted Tigris would be down 25% Euphrates down 50%

 

Jun 10 UNHCR said it was concerned about Sudani govt trying to close all displaced camps by

end of July

 

Jun 14 Displacement Min Jabro said displaced camps in Sulaymaniya would be closed by end

of Jun KRG would later reject order

 

Jun 17 Report Hashd trained Houthis in Iraq Camps managed by Iran and Hezbollah

 

Jun 18 Report Banks sign of failure of economic development in Iraq Full of corruption Banks

focus upon foreign trade and dollar auctions rather than supporting economy Most private banks controlled by ruling parties 3 state run banks controlled industry Didn’t offer many products to public Banks manipulated dollar auctions People had problems withdrawing money using credit cards

 

Jun 27 KRG’s Interior Min said region would not close its displaced camps by end of July as

ordered by Sudani govt

 

Jul 4 World Food Program Iraq lost 12 mil hectares of farmland due to climate change

 

Jul 6 Report KDP and PUK involved in money laundering and sending US$s out of Iraq for

years Used fake companies money exchanges fake bank accounts 2 instances of KRG officials caught trying to send millions into US

 

Jul 10 Report Hashd expanded influence in Ninewa Involved in corruption and extortion

Penetrated all govt institutions Took control of projects Imposed royalties

 

Jul 15 Report Planning Min said 1321 projects behind schedule Wasted huge amount of money

Corruption main problem

 

Jul 30 Biden Admin struck 47^th Hashd Brigade in Babil’s Jurf al-Sakhr 5 Hashd killed

 

Aug 4 Coordination Framework MP Jamali said that if names involved in Theft of the Century

revealed could affect political system Seemed to be admission that Framework politicians were involved

 

Aug 12 Agriculture Min Iraq has lost almost 60% of its farmland due to lack of water climate

change desertification

 

Aug 13 Parliament’s agriculture comm warned environmental disaster threatening southern

marshes due to lack of water and years of govt neglect Said negotiations with neighboring countries over water is not working

 

Aug 17 Reports Mass fish die off in Maysan marshes due to lack of water Dhi Qar reported

60% drop in fish population due to climate change

 

Aug 19 Warrants issued for officials working in PM Sudani’s office for wiretapping

politicians in ruling Coordination Framework and other govt officials

 

Aug 20 Maysan provincial govt said it lost 80% of its marshland due to drought

 

Aug 21 Report Iraq said it would produce 3.9mbd of oil from Jul-Sep to follow OPEC+ quotas

Produced 4.35mbd in May 4.49mbd in Jun 4.57mbd in Jul

 

Aug 22 Report Iraq switched from service contracts that limited profits for oil companies to

more competitive profit sharing ones in latest oil and gas deals

 

Aug 27 Report Intl Foundation for Energy Information and Natural Resources paper Said

Iraq’s oil production could reach 5.5 mil/bar/day by 2030 Gas production could double to 4.4 cubic ft/day Most growth will come from major oil fields in Basra Major barriers were lack of infrastructure export pipelines loading docks water pumping Iraq’s energy contracts discouraged investment Considered worst in MidEast Little new exploration and development in Iraq

 

Aug 29 Report Only man arrested in $2.5 bil Theft of the Century was able to post bail in

return for promise that he would pay back what he stole Only paid small amount and then disappeared Analysts didn’t think he would return for trial Threatened o expose others involved in theft

(Musings On Iraq Theft Of The Century Remains In Iraq’s Headlines)

Aug 29 Report officer in Iraq’s 5^th army Div stole all the weapons from his regiment 2023

10,000 rounds of ammo stolen from 9^th Div Weapons of 6^th Div HQ stolen last yr

 

Aug 30 UNAMI warned that half of Iraq’s population could face water shortages due to

drought by 2060

 

Aug 31 MP said water in southern marshes receded 70% More than half the livestock died

 

Sep 1 Iraq said it would cut oil production to make up for not following OPEC+ production

quotas Iraq never followed quotas and never made up for overproducing

 

Sep 3 Report New corruption scandal with railway repair and connection contract $22.5 bil

stolen

Sep 3 Report Irbil facing drought Great Zab River facing large shortage Wells drying up New

housing construction and population growth increased demand

 

Sep 4 Report US Treasury Dept told Central Bank of Iraq that Iraqi banks continued to avoid

US sanctions Banks manipulate money transfers and involved in money laundering

Sep 4 Report Integrity Comm head Hanoun gave press conference in Irbil about Theft of the

Century Nour Zuhair arrested for theft but then appeared to be traveling in Lebanon before his court date Zuhair threatened to expose the powerful who were involved in scandal Hanoun said files on the case disappeared Accused Judge Jaafar and Zuhair of being involved Called on parliament to question him about why Zuhair only charged with one crime when involved with other corruption Said Zuhair’s case was transferred to Judge Jaafar

(Musings On Iraq Theft Of The Century Remains In Iraq’s Headlines)

Sep 4 Report US Treasury Dept told Central Bank of Iraq Iraqi banks continued to avoid US

sanctions by making deals with Iran Money transfers manipulated Money laundering

 

Sep 5 Report Integrity Comm head Hanoun gave press conference in Irbil Accused Judge

Jaafar of involvement with Nour Zuhair and Theft of the Century Judge Jaafar issued warrant for Hanoun Judge Jaafar gave Zuhair bail and then he disappeared

(Musings On Iraq Theft Of The Century Remains In Iraq’s Headlines)

 

Sep 6 Report 2 arrested from PM Sudani’s office Mohammed Juhi Asst Dir of

Administrative Dept in PM’s office and Ali Matar member of National Security Agency Accused of involvement in eavesdropping op vs politicians and govt officials

Sep 6 Climate change threatening Iraq’s date crops Largest export after oil

 

Sep 9 Iraqi MP said that dollar smuggling continued with major political figures involved Anti-

corruption efforts failed

Sep 9 Report Wall St Journal quoted US officials Said more than 20 Iraqi banks sent dollars to

Iran Used front companies run by Hashd factions and fake invoices 80% of dollar transfers worth more than $250mil were untraceable

Sep 9 Nour Zuhair main figure in Theft of Century would be tried in absentia $2.5 bil stolen

from Tax Comm Scandal revealed Oct 2022 Zuhair admitted to stealing 1.6 tril dinars Returned 182 bil dinars Released on bail Disappeared

(Musings On Iraq Theft Of The Century Remains In Iraq’s Headlines)

 

Sep 10 Report Ruling parties imported rotten corn into Basra 20,000 tons of rotten corn seized

6,000 was already unloaded and approved by corrupt political parties

 

Sep 13 Report 5000 Kurds left for Europe Economy main reason Immigration started during

war vs IS in 2014 Faced delayed govt salaries high taxes lack of jobs in KRG

 

Sep 17 Report Judicial Supervision Authority retaliating against Integrity Comm head Hanoun

after he accused Integrity Court Judge Jaafar of involvement in Theft of the Century Judicial Authority said it was investigation Hanoun for illegal land deals in Maysan

 

Sep 18 Report Services and Reconstruction Comm in parliament reported that more than 1600

projects stalled in provinces outside KRG caused by corruption political disputes weak management security Some suspended as far back as Maliki’s govt (2006-14)

Sep 18 Report Iran spending millions to suppress protests in Iraq Give monty to Hashd that run

electronic armies on social media Threaten journalists and media outlets Plant fake stories Carry out assassinations of activists Started during 2019 protests

Sep 18 Report Investing in real estate being used to launder money and send US dollars to Iran

to avoid US sanctions

 

Sep 20 Report PUK head Pavel Talabani ordered commando raid to shut down Jawdir

Foundation led by Mullah Bakhtiar one of founders of PUK Source said Pavel wanted to eliminate old guard within party who he saw as rivals Came after he forced his cousin and co-PUK head Lahur Talabani out

 

Sep 26 Report Worries that Israel will strike Iraq Analyst said if Iraq drawn into war it would

be overmatched by Israel Another analyst said Iraqi Resistance attacks on Israel have no impact upon war Sayid al-Shuahda secretary general said he would send forces to Lebanon if war broke out Kataib Hezbollah said to have already sent fighters to Lebanon

(Musings On Iraq Baghdad Embarrassed By Iraqi Factions Who Are Increasing Attacks Upon Israel Leading To Worries Of Israeli Retaliation)

 

Sep 27 Report Iraq released false figures on oil production to show that it was complying

with OPEC+ quotas Aug said Iraq produced 3.904 mil/bar/day while quota was 3.91 mil/bar/day OPEC source said Iraq produced 4.228 mil/bar/day in Aug Iraq Oil Report said production was at 4.53 mil/bar/day

Sep 27 Report PM Sudani’s brother one of those arrested in spying scandal Wiretapping

revealed end of Aug Political leaders MPs senior officials judges businessmen spied on from 2023-24 Source said those arrested confessed

Sep 27 Israel PM Netanyahu addressed UN Showed map that included Iraq Said militias there

had been attacking Israel

(Musings On Iraq Is An Israeli Attack Upon Iraq Imminent?)

 

Sep 30 Amnesty Intl Few ever brought to justice for killing injuring kidnapping beating

Tishreen protesters from 2019-20 Human Rights Comm documented 541 killed 20,597 wounded 27 assassinations of activists 28 attempted assassinations 75 kidnappings Relatives of protesters also attacked 2 PMs promised justice for protesters but little done Only 10 people ever arrested Only 7 convictions Not all of those convicted were in custody In Baghdad 311 investigations into protesters killed 2129 into injured Only 4 warrants 3 went to trial 3 convicted Nov 2020 Dhi Qar court issued warrants for 2 accused of kidnapping activist Sajad al-Iraqi but no one arrested 2 given death penalties in absentia

 

Oct 2 Report Maliki said not just Hezbollah’s responsibility to fight Israel Urged Hashd to

            join war Said “we” would enter Jerusalem together

(Musings On Iraq Baghdad Embarrassed By Iraqi Factions Who Are Increasing Attacks Upon Israel Leading To Worries Of Israeli Retaliation)

 

Oct 3 Report Sudani govt asked Shiite leaders to talk with Iraqi Resistance to try to stop their

attacks on Israel Report that Israel has 35 targets it would strike in Iraq including politicians and Hashd leader Resistance said it would retaliate against Israel and fight alongside Hezbollah in Lebanon

Oct 3 Report Fmr head of Integrity Comm said Iraq lost more than $300 bil due to fake and

stalled projects Commission and parliament found more than 6000 fake and stalled projects Many only exist on paper Many from Maliki govt Those started only have 10-30% completion rate

Oct 3 Sayid al-Shuhada said Iraqi Resistance would fight of Iran enters war with Israel

 

Oct 4 Israel claimed Iraqi Resistance drone strike killed 2 of its solider wounded 24 in Golan

Heights

 

Oct 5 Report said pro-Iran groups decided to move away from Israeli war Then said Kataib

Hezbollah and Al-Nujaba continued attacks on Israel Growing fears that Israel will strike Iraq

 

Oct 6 PM Sudani called for international community to save MidEast from wider war with

            Israel Iraq’s Islamic Resistance claimed 5 attacks upon Israel

Oct 6 Report Iraqi Resistance attacks upon Israel done by Al-Nujaba Kataib Hezbollah Sayid

al-Shuhada Other pro-Iran groups like Asaib Ahl Al-Haq more interested in govt positions than war with Israel

Oct 6 Biden admin warned Iraqi govt to stop pro-Iran groups attacking Israel

Oct 6 Report Govt official said PM Sudani warned Coordination Framework about Iraq

getting involved in war with Israel Said stories about pro-Iran groups distancing themselves from conflict a lie Sudani govt talking with Pro-Iran groups to try to stop their attacks Al-Nujaba and Kataib Hezbollah promised to continue their strikes on Israel

Oct 6 Pro-Iran Sayid al-Shuahda said US should stop any Israeli attack upon Iraq Kataib

Hezbollah threatened to disrupt Iraq’s oil exports if Israel struck

 

Oct 7 Report Sudani govt talked with Western govts to try to stop Israeli attack upon Iraq

Coordination Framework in negotiations with Iraq Resistance to stop its strikes on Israel Analyst said Resistance had chosen to join war with Israel and Iraq had not joined any Arab diplomatic efforts to stop Gaza War

Oct 7 Report Iraq ranked last in developing countries trying to develop private sector Head

of think tank said 2 decades of govt promises to support private companies were a failure

Oct 7 Israeli Foreign Min official posted pictures of missiles on social media claiming they

were in a Baghdad facility supported by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard

(Musings On Iraq Baghdad Embarrassed By Iraqi Factions Who Are Increasing Attacks Upon Israel Leading To Worries Of Israeli Retaliation)

 

Oct 16 Report Ruling Coordination Framework met with Iraqi Islamic Resistance Warned that

its continued attacks on Israel could lead to airstrikes Resistance said it was independent of govt and Baghdad should not interfere Resistance made up of Hashd groups that are part of the Iraqi security forces paid by govt and have MPs in parliament

 

Oct 22 Early KRG parliamentary result KDP won 39 seats PUK 23 New Generation 15

Kurdistan Islamic Union 7 Kurdistan Justice Group 3 National Stance 4 People’s Front 2 Gorran 1 Kurdistan Region Alliance 1 2018 election KDP won 45 seats PUK 21 Gorran 12

(Musings On Iraq Elections Maintain Status Quo In Iraq’s Kurdistan)

 

Oct 26 Environmental index ranked Iraq 3^rd worst in terms of environmental protection

 

Nov 5 Iraq’s cabinet voted to give KRG $16/bar for its oil that was exported Also demanded

that KRG turn over all export oil to the central govt

Nov 5 Report US warned Iraq that if Iran used Iraqi territory to attack Israel it would face

retaliation Israeli and US intel said Iran was going to use Iraqi territory Iranian Revolutionary Guard had been moving drones and missiles into Iraq and distributing them to pro-Iran groups

(Musings On Iraq Is An Israeli Attack Upon Iraq Imminent?)

 

Nov 9 Foreign Min Hussein said Iran promised not to use Iraqi territory to attack Israel Analyst

didn’t think Iran would follow promise

 

Nov 10 Govt spokesman said 1^st phase of US withdrawal from Iraq would be done by end of

2025 2^nd phase would begin Sep 2025 and be done by end of Sep 2026

 

Nov 14 National Security Adv Araji went to Tehran Told them Iraq wanted to stay out of war

with Israel Said pro-Iran groups dragging Iraq into conflict

(Musings On Iraq Is An Israeli Attack Upon Iraq Imminent?)

 

Nov 18 Israel’s Foreign Min Saar sent letter to UN warning Iraq Said immediate action needed

to be taken against Iraq’s Resistance for attacking Israel Said Baghdad responsible for Resistance’s actions Said Israel had right to self-defense

(Musings On Iraq Is An Israeli Attack Upon Iraq Imminent?)

 

Nov 20 Report Israel complained to UN about Iraqi Resistance attacks Said it had right to

respond Israeli Foreign Min sent letter to UN calling for immediate action against the Resistance Said Israel had right to self defense Said Iraqi govt responsible for the Resistance US told Iraq it had done all it could to stop Israel from striking Iraq

(Musings On Iraq Is An Israeli Attack Upon Iraq Imminent?)

 

Nov 21 Report Saudi TV station said US told Iraq that Israeli attack imminent unless pro-Iraqi

groups stopped striking Israel US told Iraq it couldn’t hold back Israel anymore

(Musings On Iraq Is An Israeli Attack Upon Iraq Imminent?)

 

Nov 23 Activists in Maysan said that marhes in province have dried up for 3^rd time in 5 yrs

Nov 23 Report Iraq will invoke Status of Forces Agreement with US if Israel attacks requiring

American assistance

Nov 23 Al-Nujaba said that Resistance doesn’t fear Israeli retaliation and represents will of

            Iraqi people

 

Nov 25 Report PM Sudani’s military office dir Gen Sudani accused of being ringleader in spy

network within Sudani’s office Speid on Maliki, Qais Khazali, Interior Minister Gen Shammari, National Security Adv Araji Ayatollah Sistani’s eldest son Starting Jul 2024 group sent WhatsApp messages to MPs details on other politicians

Nov 25 Al-Nujaba accused Sudani govt of collaborating with Israel Said if Resistance were

attacked by govt it would fight back

 

Dec 1 Report 100s of pro-Iran Hashd fighters entered Syria to support Assad govt

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Govt Denies it But Pro-Iran Factions Enter Syria To Support Assad)

 

Dec 2 Reports 2 Syrian military officials said pro-Iran Hashd had entered Syria to support

Assad against insurgent offensive Named Kataib Hezbollah Iraqi govt denied Hashd had gone to Syria

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Govt Denies it But Pro-Iran Factions Enter Syria To Support Assad)

Dec 2 Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that around 200 Iraqi fighters had entered

Syria

Dec 2 Asaib Ahl Al-Haq’s Khazali talked about defending Sayida Zainab shrine in Syria

Shrine was used to justify Iraqi militias fighting in Syria before Sayid al-Shuhada said it was ready to send forces to Syria Said fighting in Syria was threat to Axis of Resistance Said Syrian rebels wanted to march on Karbala

 

Dec 3 Kataib Hezbollah called on PM Sudani to send troops to Syria to support Assad

 

Dec 4 Report Videos posted on social media of Iraqi fighters going to Syria Said they were

defending Shiite shrines there Shrines are nowhere near the fighting

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Govt Denies it But Pro-Iran Factions Enter Syria To Support Assad)

 

Dec 5 Reports Around 50 vehicles crossing from Iraq into Syria each day Included Iranians

Pakistanis Afghanis and Iraqis to support Assad All organized by Tehran Iraqi factions haven’t been ordered to fight yet

(Musings On Iraq Iraqi Govt Denies it But Pro-Iran Factions Enter Syria To Support Assad)

Dec 5 PM Sudani denied allegations that members of his office were involved in spy scandal

Called stories “lie of the century” Officials in Sudani’s office were spying on his political rivals and were arrested

(Musings On Iraq PM Sudani May Change Cabinet To Appease Opponents Over Spy Scandal)

Dec 5 Report Nouri Jassim and fmr PM Jabouri convicted in $2.5 bil Theft of the Century Fmr

govt officials said case was symbolic Real culprits unpunished Fmr officials said Finance Min Rafidain Bank Central Bank of Iraq Integrity Commission Transportation Min all involved in scandal State of Law and Badr members blamed for theft Badr officials were throughout tax commission where money stolen Director generals at tax comm and Rafidain Bank lied to Finance Min Allawi Told him checks to fake companies used to steal money were cancelled when they weren’t 2 investigations by Integrity Comm found nothing Finance Min blocked all payments from tax comm without his approval but transfers continued PM Jabouri asked for Board of Supreme Audit to be removed from checking tax comm Was approved by Finance Min Allawi Stopped checks for theft Director gen of tax commission who was Badr member might have been mastermind of theft

 

Dec 6 Report Pro-Iran Hashd began withdrawing from Syria Dec 6

 

Dec 10 Mohammed Juhi dep dir for personal affairs in PM Sudani’s office given 4 yrs for

wiretapping scandal that spied on politicians PM Sudani called case “the lie of the century” claiming it never happened Several Sudani relatives and office members also implicated in scandal

 

Dec 11 After members of his Saraya al-Salam Hashd arrested for tearing down pictures of

Nasrallah Abu Muhandis and Gen Soleimani in Baghdad Sadr said he was withdrawing from the public because his followers refused to listen to him

 

Dec 18 Appeals Court overturned rulings that KRG oil contracts invalid Major victory for

KRG