Monday Iraq News Posted by Tishwash at TNT 7-6-2026
TNT:
Tishwash: Integrity Commission: The next step in the funds recovery case holds many surprises.
The Integrity Commission has stated that the upcoming phase of the asset recovery file holds many surprises. Abbas Mutab, Director General of the Recovery Department at the Federal Integrity Commission, told the official newspaper that "the Commission has managed to recover approximately half of the accused individuals who fled Iraq compared to the previous period, in addition to a very good percentage of the funds recovered from abroad."
He emphasized "the significant cooperation with Interpol and law enforcement agencies," adding that "there is a problem with cooperation with other countries regarding the extradition of some accused individuals, and the differences in laws between Iraq and other countries. What is applied on the ground in Iraq cannot be applied in other countries.
Moreover, the funds that fled Iraq have become intertwined with the economies of other countries, which necessitates a file to study the case, follow up on it, gather evidence, and implement it to prove that these funds belong to Iraq."
Mutab explained that "the upcoming phase of the asset recovery file for this year holds many surprises, whether in terms of large sums of money or accused individuals who fled the country years ago, and that these efforts are being carried out with the support of the head of the Integrity Commission and the head of the Supreme Judicial Council." link
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Tishwash: Targeting 150,000 barrels per day, Iraq signs a contract with Halliburton to manage the Bin Omar and Sindbad oil fields.
The Iraqi Ministry of Oil announced on Sunday the signing of an integrated management contract for the Bin Omar and Sindbad oil fields in Basra Governorate between the Basra Oil Company and the American company Halliburton, as part of the government's plans to develop the energy sector.
Oil Minister Bassem Mohammed Khudair Al-Abadi, during his sponsorship of the signing ceremony, said that this five-year contract comes in implementation of the ministry’s strategy aimed at increasing production capacities of oil and associated gas in cooperation with reputable international companies.
The minister explained that the target during the contract period is to raise crude oil production rates in the “Ben Omar” field to reach 150,000 barrels per day, in addition to investing 300 million standard cubic feet (MMcf) per day of associated gas.
Al-Abadi added that production rates in the “Sindbad” field will also witness development to reach between 80,000 and 100,000 barrels per day, with an increase in the capacity of associated gas invested from 240 to 260 million standard cubic feet per day, stressing that these projects will provide great flexibility to equip the country’s electricity production stations.
The Minister of Oil affirmed that the Ministry is committed to strengthening its partnerships with major international companies, particularly American ones, and overcoming all obstacles to achieve development goals, praising the long experience of Halliburton, which has been operating in Iraq since 2003. link
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Tishwash: "Omoda and Jaiko": Iraqis are experiencing growth by international standards and deserve advanced cars that are subject to strict oversight.
Omoda and Jaeco Motors affirmed their confidence in the Iraqi market, noting that Iraqis are experiencing growth by international standards and deserve advanced cars that are subject to strict oversight, while pledging to provide after-sales services, smart technologies, and an advanced experience that meets the aspirations of customers in global markets.
The company said in a statement that "the automotive sector in Iraq is witnessing an accelerated phase of transformation, with the official announcement of the entry of the Omoda and Jaico brands into the local market," indicating that "this expansion is not limited to introducing new models only, but comes within a strategy supported by Jameel Motors, the independent international distributor of cars, which has decades of experience in managing distribution operations, supply chains and after-sales services in a number of global markets."
She explained that “Omoda and Gaiko were able, in a short period of time, to attract the attention of followers of the automotive sector, thanks to their rapid pace of expansion in global markets. Over the past three years, the two brands have recorded a number of outstanding indicators, including the delivery of more than 1.1 million vehicles worldwide, a presence in 70 international markets, and entering a new market at a rate of one market every 16 days, as well as opening 1,364 showrooms and sales centers at a rate of one new facility per day, in addition to expanding into 20 European markets, making them one of the fastest growing brand groups in the European continent.”
She pointed out that "the global growth of the two brands depends on an integrated system of research, development and manufacturing based on the industrial and engineering capabilities of the Chery Group," explaining that "the production of Omoda and Jaico vehicles is characterized by the use of modern manufacturing technologies and smart production systems, along with strict quality control procedures in various stages of manufacturing."
She emphasized that "the vehicles undergo intensive testing aimed at ensuring high levels of durability and reliability, while the modern engineering structure, advanced safety systems and smart communication technologies contribute to providing an advanced user experience that meets the aspirations of customers in global markets." link
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Tishwash: China appoints an ambassador extraordinary to Iraq, and he begins his duties in Baghdad.
The new ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Iraq, Xiang Bo, arrived in the capital Baghdad on Saturday to take up his post and officially begin his duties as Beijing’s 22nd ambassador to the country.
Upon his arrival, the new Chinese ambassador was received by representatives of the Protocol Department of the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with members of the diplomatic mission from the Chinese embassy.
Xiang Bo emphasized in press statements that China and Iraq are two countries with ancient civilizations, linked by a long history of friendly communication, and that joint cooperation between the two countries has yielded fruitful results in various fields.
The new ambassador considered his assignment to his duties as placing upon him the responsibility to join forces with those concerned in various fields in order to implement the important agreements between the leaderships of the two countries, stressing the importance of raising the strategic Chinese-Iraqi partnership relations and practical cooperation to new levels. link
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Tishwash: Recent arrests freeze negotiations to complete Ali al-Zaidi's government
The Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar reported on Saturday that the recent wave of arrests targeting a number of parliamentarians and political figures in Iraq has hampered negotiations to complete the formation of the government and brought the issue of vacant ministries to a standstill.
The newspaper quoted political and parliamentary sources as saying that "political forces were preparing to resolve the issue of the nine vacant ministries, namely: Defense, Interior, Planning, Higher Education, Immigration, Reconstruction, Youth, Labor, and Culture, with the start of the new legislative session at the beginning of July."
The sources added that "the arrest campaign led to an almost complete halt in communications between the leaders of the political blocs, which postponed the understandings related to completing the ministerial cabinet of Prime Minister Ali al-Zidi."
According to the newspaper, "the arrests, which included influential political figures, created a new crisis of confidence among political forces, and rearranged their priorities from completing government entitlements to dealing with the legal and political repercussions resulting from those measures." link
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Tishwash: Exclusive: No ministerial appointments accepted, and the formation of al-Zidi's cabinet postponed until after Washington.
The Shiite Coordination Framework, on Saturday, linked the completion of the ministerial formation of Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi’s government to the results of his upcoming visit to the United States, stressing that the vacant ministries will not be decided before his return from Washington.
MP Amer Al-Fayez, a leader in the coordination framework, told Shafaq News Agency that the House of Representatives will resume its work with the start of the new legislative session, with its first regular session to be held next Monday, but the vote on the new ministers will be postponed to a later stage.
Al-Fayez explained that Al-Zidi will submit the names of candidates for the vacant ministerial portfolios after completing his political consultations, noting that the vote on the government cabinet "will not take place before the Prime Minister's visit to the United States, but rather after his return, due to the continued disagreements and obstacles related to the names of some of the candidates."
He added that a number of political blocs "are still working on completing their internal requirements and finalizing their candidates for ministries," which has delayed the completion of the government at the present time.
The leader in the coordination framework confirmed that nine ministries remain vacant in Al-Zidi’s government, denying any discussion within the framework or the House of Representatives regarding the creation of new ministries or the cancellation of others.
These developments coincide with al-Zaidi's anticipated visit to Washington in mid-July, at the invitation of US President Donald Trump, which is seen as a pivotal moment in shaping the relationship between Baghdad and Washington.
According to information obtained earlier by Shafaq News Agency, Al-Zaidi will discuss economic and investment files during the visit, most notably the release of frozen Iraqi financial guarantees in the United States estimated at about $30 billion, in addition to security and political files related to the future of cooperation between the two countries. link