The Minister of Oil directs an increase in production from Kirkuk oil fields and prioritizing local employment.

Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair Al-Abadi stressed on Thursday the need to increase and sustain crude oil production from the four Kirkuk fields, while also promoting gas investment and employing local workers. Dailynews reports

This came during his chairmanship of the fourth meeting of the joint management of the field development project being implemented by the British company BP.

The Ministry of Oil’s media office said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that the minister opened the fourth meeting of the joint management of the Kirkuk Four Fields Development Project, which includes the Bai Hassan, Jambur, Khabbaz, and Kirkuk fields with its two domes (Avana and Baba).

Al-Abadi stressed the importance of increasing and sustaining crude oil production, as well as raising gas production and investment rates to meet the country’s needs, emphasizing the need to pay attention to providing services to the areas surrounding the fields through the project’s social benefit programs.

The minister also directed that priority be given to employing local labor in Kirkuk Governorate, and that this file be included among the priorities of the Joint Management Committee, as well as focusing on safety, health and environment standards, and working to achieve the goal of “zero accidents” in work sites.

He also stressed the importance of implementing quality training programs for national staff, which would contribute to raising their efficiency and keeping pace with the latest technologies used in developing oil fields, emphasizing that the training should be practical and effective, not merely formal.

The meeting was attended by the chairman and members of the Joint Management Committee from the Ministry of Oil, along with representatives of the British company BP, to follow up on the implementation of the stages of developing the oil fields in Kirkuk.

For his part, the representative of Kirkuk Governorate, Helo Qader Al-Jabari, confirmed that BP had pledged to give priority to the people of the governorate in job opportunities within oil field development projects, during a meeting held in the capital, Baghdad, with the company’s general manager in Iraq.

Al-Jabari told Shafaq News Agency that he held a meeting with the General Manager of BP in Iraq, Zaid Al-Yasiri, in the presence of Member of Parliament Dylan Ghafour, to discuss the company’s work mechanism in the Kirkuk oil fields.

He added that the meeting focused on the need to give the people of Kirkuk priority in job opportunities, and to allocate an appropriate percentage of jobs to them in their various components and specializations, in order to ensure justice and benefit from local competencies, and to contribute to supporting stability and development within the governorate.

He noted that company officials showed understanding of the demands made, and pledged to work on giving Kirkuk residents priority in appointments related to the company’s projects, according to the needs of the work and the required specializations.

Al-Jabari stressed that the issue of employing the people of Kirkuk will remain under follow-up with the company’s management and the relevant government agencies, to ensure the implementation of these commitments and the achievement of the best results, in a way that preserves the rights of the people of the governorate and provides job opportunities for local talents.

Shafaq.com

Al-Zaydi directs the adoption of pre-audit procedures for contracts and the detection of loopholes before they turn into corruption.

Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi directed on Tuesday the adoption of a pre-audit mechanism before signing contracts, while also calling for the identification of loopholes before they escalate into corruption cases.

The Prime Minister’s office stated in a press release received by the Information Agency that “al-Zaidi, during a meeting with the Federal Board of Supreme Audit and the Integrity Commission, directed the adoption of the principle of pre-audit for contracts before their signing, as a preventative measure aimed at addressing problems before they occur, because it represents a safeguard for institutions.”

According to the statement, al-Zaidi emphasized that “responsibility requires hard work, achievement, and fulfilling duties to the fullest extent,” stressing “the necessity for everyone to bear their legal and national responsibilities.”

He called on the Federal Board of Supreme Audit and the Integrity Commission to “act as the eyes of the state in discovering loopholes and addressing them before they develop into problems or corruption cases.”

In this regard, he directed the formation of a specialized team from the Federal Board of Supreme Audit to conduct pre-audit reviews of contracts within a period not exceeding ten working days. He also directed the establishment of ceilings and values ​​for contracts subject to this type of review, ensuring both speed of execution and efficiency of oversight.
He emphasized the necessity for government contracts to be legally and technically sound and based on fair and reasonable prices. He explained that inflated costs are among the most prominent avenues for corruption, requiring a firm response while guaranteeing the implementation of projects according to the specifications and quality stipulated in the contracts.

He called for the consolidation of a preventative mindset in oversight work, alongside the traditional oversight role, affirming that the Federal Board of Supreme Audit and the Integrity Commission represent the state’s shield in protecting public funds and guaranteeing citizens’ rights—a national and ethical responsibility.

He emphasized “the importance of keeping the Federal Board of Supreme Audit free from any political considerations or quotas, and that the criteria of competence, integrity, professionalism, and impartiality should be the foundation of its work,” reiterating “the government’s commitment to providing all forms of support to the Board and the Integrity Commission to enable them to perform their duties efficiently and independently.”

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In the absence of justifications, a political movement is underway to reinstate the rejected candidates in the confidence vote session.

The political blocs intend to resubmit their candidates who were rejected in the session to grant confidence to Al-Zidi’s cabinet within the parliament, in light of the absence of logical justifications for rejecting the names submitted to the House of Representatives, as the State of Law Coalition is still holding firm to its candidates, in addition to the other blocs whose candidates did not receive a vote, at a time when political parties confirm that there is external interference behind the rejection of some of the candidates in Al-Zidi’s cabinet.

Former State of Law Coalition MP Hussein Mardan told Al-Maalomah that “the State of Law Coalition has not made any changes to its candidates that it presented in the session to grant confidence to the cabinet, as the same names are still nominated for ministerial positions.”

He added that “the State of Law Coalition, as well as other alliances, did not change the names of their candidates for the vacant ministerial positions, as Amer al-Khazai and Qasim Atta are still candidates nominated by the State of Law Coalition, despite it having other competent figures.”

He explained that “the rejection of the nominated names by the State of Law Coalition had no convincing reasons or justifications, especially since the nominees are considered to be experienced, competent, and professional figures with a history in the Iraqi government, as the reasons for the rejection are still unclear.”

For his part, Maysar al-Shammari, a leader in the Hikma Movement, told Al-Maalouma that “the American side exerted pressure and bargains on some political forces with the aim of handing over weapons, which is a dangerous precedent in the formation of Iraqi governments that has not happened throughout the past periods.”

He added that “objections from abroad also included the political forces that began handing over their weapons, on the pretext that they did not hand them over completely and retained a large part of them, which complicates the completion of the government cabinet in full.”

He pointed out that “the coordination framework is trying to reach political understandings and end the issue of foreign interference in the formation of the government, before proceeding to agree on the names that will complete the government cabinet,” noting that “what is being circulated about postponing the completion of the government cabinet until after the end of next September is incorrect, as the coordination framework seeks to complete it during the next few months.”

He added that “regional events and their repercussions on Iraq, especially on the financial side, in addition to Al-Zaidi’s foreign visits, also caused the disruption of the completion of the government cabinet, as the government’s actions were directed towards files that it sees as more important than completing the ministerial cabinet, which may not be the right decision.” GeographicReference

In a related context, political analyst Ibrahim Al-Sarraj told Al-Maalouma that “the lack of political movement towards resolving the government cabinet is not related to the corruption campaign that targeted a number of officials and deputies, given that the disagreements between the political parties regarding the ministerial cabinet occurred before the campaign began.”

He added that “the disagreements between the political blocs were represented in the objection to some of the candidates,” noting that “the objection did not come from an objective standpoint, but rather its aim is to marginalize some blocs because of the existing disagreements between them.”

He added, “Prime Minister Ali al-Zubaidi has the opportunity to create a conducive atmosphere by working to bridge the gaps between the various political blocs, especially since the current circumstances necessitate completing the ministerial appointments, particularly those related to security, given the current situation in the region.”

Almaalomah.me

Factional weapons or “collapse”: Al-Zaydi’s government faces an impossible equation

The Italian ” Special Eurasia ” report highlighted Iraq’s transformation into a central arena for regional conflict, and painted a very pessimistic picture of the future of the Iraqi government under American pressure and Iranian influence. Dailynews reports

The report, translated by Shafaq News Agency, concluded that Baghdad is experiencing a state of political and security paralysis between Washington’s demands to disarm the factions, and the Iranian influence that is deeply rooted within Iraqi political, security and economic institutions.

The Italian report considered Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s demand to disarm the factions to be a strategic dilemma, because the government “does not have the military capability or sufficient political influence to carry this out without causing a widespread internal crisis.”

He pointed out that Washington has a financial pressure card through the American financial system and Iraqi accounts, while Tehran has countercards represented by the Strait of Hormuz and gas and electricity supplies.

He warned that Baghdad’s full compliance with US pressure could prompt Iran to use economic and energy tools to pressure the government, while rejecting US demands could lead to harsher sanctions or financial restrictions.

The report went on to say that attempting to disarm the factions by force could lead to a split in the military establishment, paralysis of parliament, and the fall of the government, due to the connection of some groups to political and economic networks within the state.

According to the Italian report, Iran is using Iraq as a strategic depth and an arena to absorb military pressures, and it may prefer a weak or paralyzed Iraqi government to one that is completely aligned with Washington.

He warned that cutting off US financial flows entirely could backfire, as it might push Iraq towards expanding non-dollar trade and relying more on the Iranian economy.

In conclusion, the report suggested that “if a diplomatic settlement is not reached,” the al-Zaidi government would face “the risks of political collapse, escalating internal conflict, and economic isolation” before the end of the year.

Shafaq.com

Iraq leads in largest oil deals during July

Iraq topped the list of the largest oil deals concluded during July 2026, in a list that included three Arab countries: Iraq, Oman, and Qatar, amid a broad investment movement aimed at developing oil and gas fields and enhancing production capacity.

Iraq came in first place after signing agreements with American companies to develop 9 oil fields in the governorates of Kirkuk, Diyala, Basra and Dhi Qar, with the participation of ConocoPhillips, Chevron, Halliburton and HKN, within a government plan aimed at raising production capacity to 6 million barrels per day, in addition to investing in associated gas and improving the efficiency of operations. MiddleEast news

The list also included the Sultanate of Oman through agreements to develop oil fields and build oil tankers, while Qatar stood out through a deal to develop the Ghadames oil basin in Libya, in addition to another deal in Ivory Coast to develop the “Paline” offshore project.

According to the energy platform, the deals last July reflected the continued attractiveness of the oil and gas sector globally, with investments focused on developing giant fields, enhancing supply security, and increasing production efficiency through partnerships with major global energy companies.

Shafaq.com

The currency issued in Iraq rose to 113.6 trillion dinars by the end of last May.

The currency issued in Iraq recorded an increase to reach more than 113 trillion dinars by the end of May 2026, coinciding with the continued rise in cash circulating outside banks, according to official data from the Central Bank of Iraq. Dailynews reports

Data seen by Shafaq News Agency showed that the currency issued amounted to 113.560 trillion dinars at the end of May, compared to 112.896 trillion dinars at the end of April, and 99.799 trillion dinars at the end of 2025.

The net currency in circulation outside banks also rose to 106.812 trillion dinars, compared to 104.542 trillion dinars at the end of April, and 92.560 trillion dinars at the end of 2025.

In contrast, the currency held by banks decreased to 6.748 trillion dinars by the end of May, after reaching 8.354 trillion dinars at the end of April, while it recorded 7.239 trillion dinars at the end of 2025.

For his part, economist Mohammed Al-Hassani told Shafaq News Agency that the increase in the issued currency means that the Central Bank has injected a larger amount of cash, noting that the most important thing is how this cash mass is distributed within the economic cycle.

He added that the continued concentration of the majority of currency outside banks, compared to the decline in cash held within them, reflects the continued reliance of individuals and companies on keeping money in cash rather than depositing it in the banking system, which limits the ability of banks to expand lending and boost economic activity.

Shafaq.com

Government advisor: The liquidity crisis does not mean the state is bankrupt and does not threaten salaries.

The financial advisor to the Iraqi government, Mazhar Muhammad Saleh, confirmed on Tuesday that the liquidity crisis facing Iraq does not mean a shortage of funds or the bankruptcy of the state, stressing that the government possesses financial and administrative tools that guarantee the continued funding of salaries and the fulfillment of its basic obligations. News

Saleh told Shafaq News Agency that the current pressures are related to the imbalance between the timing of oil revenues entering the treasury and the due dates for monthly expenditures, primarily salaries, as well as the increase in public spending, the expansion of appointments, and the weakness of non-oil revenues.

He explained that these challenges, along with regional tensions that may affect trade and oil exports, do not mean that Iraq is entering a severe financial crisis, stressing that the country has multiple options to manage the situation and maintain financial stability.

He pointed out that the government can ensure the payment of salaries by managing liquidity efficiently, giving priority to basic expenditures, rescheduling some non-urgent investment expenditures when needed, in addition to improving collection, reducing financial waste, and enhancing non-oil revenues.

He added that internal or external financing remains an available option when necessary, provided that it is used within the safe limits of public debt, and in a way that ensures the continued financing of basic obligations without harming financial stability.

Saleh stressed that the next phase requires accelerating projects to diversify oil export outlets and develop infrastructure in the transport and energy sectors, in order to reduce the risks of relying on a single source of revenue and enhance the economy’s ability to cope with regional and international changes.

He concluded by saying that sustainable financial stability will not be achieved by relying on oil alone, but rather by accelerating economic reforms, diversifying sources of income, and building an economy more resilient to external shocks.

Shafaq.com

A thousand Iraqi trucks are stuck in Aqaba; drivers have been waiting to unload their cargo for 18 days.

The mayor of Rutba district in Anbar, western Iraq, Imad al-Rishawi, confirmed on Tuesday that trade through the Trebil crossing with Jordan and the al-Walid crossing with Syria is witnessing a remarkable increase, driven by security stability that has contributed to the smooth flow of trade between Iraq and neighboring countries. News

Al-Rishawi told Shafaq News Agency that about a thousand tankers leave daily through the two crossings, while a similar number of empty tankers enter, reflecting the growing commercial transport activity.

He added that the two crossings still need to upgrade and develop their infrastructure to match the current volume of commercial activity, noting that this file is being followed up by the Governor of Anbar.

In the same context, a source told Shafaq News Agency that about a thousand Iraqi trucks are stuck in the Aqaba region of Jordan due to the tanks being full, indicating that about 1,800 tanker drivers have been waiting for 18 days to unload their cargo of crude oil.

Shafaq.com

The Ministry of Finance is considering three options to overcome the employee salary crisis.

Former member of the parliamentary finance committee, Sherwan Mirza, revealed on Monday that the Ministry of Finance has begun studying three scenarios to get out of the liquidity crisis, foremost among them being external borrowing, printing currency, or recovering the cash mass, which amounts to about 90 billion dollars.

Mirza explained to Al-Maalomah News Agency that “the government, represented by the Ministry of Finance, is trying to address the financial problem through several scenarios, foremost among them being the move towards external borrowing, as well as recovering the cash mass held by citizens and companies, which is estimated at $90 billion, and also finding alternatives for exporting Iraqi oil.”

The former representative for Sulaimaniyah Governorate in the Kurdistan Region called on the government to bolster and prioritize non-oil revenues during this period as part of overcoming the current economic crisis.

Almaalomah.me

Iraq announces electrical interconnection with Türkiye: 600 megawatts have entered the national grid.

Former spokesperson for the Ministry of Electricity and energy expert Ahmed Moussa announced on Monday the completion of the electrical interconnection between Iraq and Turkey, adding 600 megawatts to the Iraqi national grid.

Moussa told the Information Agency that “specialized energy teams were able to complete the electrical interconnection with Turkey in the past few hours, adding approximately 600 megawatts to the national grid.”

He continued, “Work is ongoing with Jordan to add 50 megawatts to the main grid by mid-September.” He noted that “the Gulf interconnection is also still underway, and it is hoped that 500 megawatts will be added to the national grid at the beginning of September.”

He pointed out that “the delay in the Gulf interconnection is due to the deployment of the Kuwaiti army in the desert, which caused this delay.” He explained that “all these additions do not exceed 2,500 megawatts, and therefore will not contribute to solving the electricity crisis, which will continue.”

He explained that “the process of importing energy and gas from the Iranian side is still ongoing,” calling on the government to rely on solar energy, address losses, develop production, and utilize domestic gas to solve the electricity problem throughout the country. History

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