More Iraq News Posted by Tishwash at TNT 8-4-2026
TNT:
Tishwash: Washington begins withdrawing its last troops from Iraq and Kurdistan, ending its military presence.
A report published by Al-Monitor on Saturday (August 1, 2026) revealed that the US military has begun implementing the final phase of its military withdrawal from Iraq by withdrawing its last remaining forces in the Kurdistan Region, along with air defense systems and related military equipment, in a move that represents the conclusion of the plan to end the US military presence in the country.
The report, which was followed up by "Baghdad Today", stated that the withdrawal includes forces stationed in bases within the Kurdistan Region, which represented the last American military presence after the completion of the evacuation of bases located within the areas under the control of the Iraqi federal government at the beginning of this year.
He noted that the withdrawal process also includes the transfer of air defense systems, radars and military equipment, as part of arrangements to end the American military mission and move to a new framework of security cooperation between Baghdad and Washington.
In September 2024, Baghdad and Washington announced an understanding to end the mission of the international coalition in Iraq and move to a bilateral security relationship, with Iraqi forces taking full control of the Ain al-Asad base in Anbar after the withdrawal of US forces from it. The Iraqi Ministry of Defense also announced the completion of the evacuation of bases located within federal areas. link
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Tishwash: Agreement to open a NATO mission office in Baghdad
National Security Advisor Qasim al-Aboudi and the commander of the NATO mission in Iraq, Lieutenant General Ramon Armada, agreed on Sunday to open a NATO mission office in Baghdad.
The media office of the National Security Advisor said in a statement received by Al-Mirbad that “National Security Advisor, Qasim Al-Aboudi, received today, Sunday, a call via closed-circuit television from the commander of the NATO mission in Iraq, Lieutenant General Ramon Armada.”
He added that "during the call, ways to reduce escalation were discussed, and the need to reach solutions to the recurring crises in the region was emphasized through dialogue and diplomatic channels. Ways to continue NATO's support for the Iraqi armed forces in the areas of consultation, training, and exchange of information and expertise were also discussed."
He noted that "during the call, an agreement was also reached to open a NATO mission office in Baghdad."
Al-Aboudi stressed, according to the statement, that “the role of the NATO mission in Iraq lies in consultation, training, building military capabilities and security advice, as well as providing support in the fields of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, in addition to building strategic partnerships with NATO countries,” indicating that “the policy of the Prime Minister, Ali Faleh Al-Zaidi, is to be open to all friendly and brotherly countries with regard to development and investment and to support paths that strengthen relations with everyone, in accordance with mutual interests.”
For his part, General Armada affirmed that "the goal of the non-combat advisory and training mission of (NATO) is to develop the capabilities of the Iraqi armed forces to meet potential challenges," noting that "NATO is committed to supporting Iraq according to the priorities set by the Iraqi government." link
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Tishwash: Government advisor: Lower oil prices present an opportunity to restructure the economy on a more balanced foundation.
The Prime Minister’s advisor, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, stressed on Sunday the need to adopt a balanced financial reform program to manage the deficit efficiently, while pointing out that the decline in oil prices is an opportunity to restructure the Iraqi economy on more balanced foundations.
Saleh told the Iraqi News Agency (INA): “The decline in oil prices and the drop in oil revenues pose direct challenges to the Iraqi economy, given the general budget’s heavy reliance on oil revenues to finance public spending. This necessitates adopting a balanced financial reform program based on efficient deficit management and avoiding reliance on a single option that could exacerbate the crisis.”
Saleh added, "In the short term, it is necessary to rationalize government spending by postponing or rescheduling non-priority projects and controlling unnecessary operational expenses, while maintaining spending related to salaries, basic services and social safety nets, in order to limit the negative effects of the crisis on citizens."
He added, “At the same time, it is necessary to develop non-oil revenues by improving the collection of taxes and fees, maximizing revenues from border crossings, and expanding the tax base, in addition to developing productive sectors such as agriculture, industry and tourism, which will gradually contribute to reducing dependence on oil as a primary source of public revenues.”
He pointed out that “domestic borrowing can be a legitimate financial tool to cover part of the deficit if it is used within well-considered limits and to finance temporary needs, but it does not represent a permanent solution,” explaining that “expanding it may lead to a crowding- out effect , where public finances take up a large part of the liquidity available in the market, which raises the cost of bank credit and limits the ability of the private sector to obtain financing and investment, as well as increasing the burden of public debt in the future.”
Saleh explained that "domestic borrowing should be viewed as a complementary option within a broader financial and economic reform program, and not as a substitute for structural reforms."
He stressed that “confronting the repercussions of the decline in oil prices is not limited to managing the financial deficit, but represents an opportunity to restructure the Iraqi economy on more balanced and sustainable foundations, through diversifying sources of income and enhancing the contribution of non-oil sectors to the gross domestic product and public revenues, making oil a resource that supports development and not the sole source of budget financing, and giving the Iraqi economy a greater ability to face the fluctuations of global markets.” link
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Tishwash: The Minister of Finance requests to appear before Parliament to reveal the truth about the financial crisis in Iraq.
On Monday, Iraqi Finance Minister Faleh Sari submitted a formal request to the Speaker of Parliament to host him at the next parliamentary session dedicated to presenting the financial and economic situation the country is going through.
Sari said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that the request to host the meeting stems from the ministry's keenness to present the people's representatives with an accurate picture of the financial and economic reality, the measures taken by the ministry to ensure the fulfillment of the state's basic obligations, the continuation of the implementation of financial and administrative reform programs, and to explain the most prominent challenges facing public finances in light of the current regional changes.
Iraqi government spokesman Haider al-Aboudi confirmed that Iraq is facing "severe" financial challenges, noting that the government needs about 10.8 trillion dinars monthly to cover employee salaries and public expenses, while the country's oil revenues do not exceed 2.5 trillion dinars.
Al-Aboudi acknowledged in a televised statement that this financial crisis has directly affected the salary distribution schedule, leading to delays and irregularities in payment compared to previous months, stressing that this situation will continue until the government is able to cover the existing financial deficit.
Earlier, Iraqi Health Minister Abdul Hussein Al-Moussawi said that the government is facing a liquidity crisis that has made securing salaries its priority, while confirming that the General Company for Marketing Drugs and Medical Supplies (Kimadia) has received only 15% of its budget, which has led to its bankruptcy, the disruption of new contracts, and the threat to drug supplies. link