Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Friday Afternoon 1-2-26
The First American Convoy To Leave Ain Al-Asad Base In Anbar In 2026... Indications Of A Partial Withdrawal
Baratha News Agency1682026-01-01 An informed source revealed on Thursday (January 1, 2026) that the first convoy moved from Ain al-Assad base west of Anbar, in an indication of the beginning of a partial withdrawal of US forces from Iraq.
The source said, “Dozens of large trucks moved this morning from Ain al-Assad base towards the highway, amid tight security measures and escort by more than one Apache helicopter,” noting that “the exact destination of the convoy is unknown, whether it is towards Harir base in Erbil or one of the crossings with Syria towards its bases in Hasakah.”
The source indicated that "this convoy is the first during 2026, and may constitute a new indication of a partial withdrawal of US forces, which are expected to end their presence at this base in the coming months."
This development comes within the framework of the agreement between Baghdad and Washington to end the mission of the international coalition in Iraq, which was established through the work of the “Higher Military Committee” and the joint statement issued in September 2024, where the two sides agreed to set a timetable for reducing the military presence of the coalition and turning it into a bilateral security partnership, with a gradual reduction of the number of forces and the redeployment of some of them in the Kurdistan Region, and the handover of military sites, including the Ain al-Asad base, to the Iraqi authorities during the years 2025 and 2026. https://burathanews.com/arabic/news/469463
.An Economist Identifies Possible Government Strategies To Reduce Waste And Financial Corruption.
Time: 2025/12/27 21:19:46 Readings: 105 times {Economic: Al-Furat News} Economic expert, Salah Nouri, confirmed that the government has the ability to take a number of practical measures to reduce waste and financial corruption, noting that the success of these steps depends on political will and commitment to actual implementation.
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Nouri told Al-Furat News Agency that: “The Central Bank of Iraq had previously implemented an initiative to support small and medium enterprises by providing funds for lending,” indicating that “the initiative achieved modest success, while the Ministry of Finance is currently unable to support this sector due to the financial difficulties and shortage of cash liquidity it is suffering from.”
Regarding measures to reduce waste and financial corruption, Nouri pointed out that "the most prominent of these is full compliance with the decision of the Supreme Federal Court No. 89/Federal/2019, which canceled Legislative Decision No. 44 of 2008, especially paragraph six related to political quotas in filling special grades from director general and below," stressing that "failure to comply with this decision has contributed to the continuation of administrative failures."
He added that “supporting the Integrity Commission and the Federal Board of Supreme Audit with competent, honest, and politically independent staff is a fundamental step in combating corruption,” noting that “the retirement law that suddenly reduced the legal age has led to the depletion of a large number of advanced and highly competent experts in the two institutions.”
The expert explained that “the Prime Minister’s adoption of periodic evaluations of the performance of central ministries and local governments throughout the year will enable the government to identify shortcomings and obstacles and take the necessary administrative and legal measures to correct implementation paths and improve overall performance.” Raghid LINK
Iraq Ranks High Among The Largest Oil Exporters For 2025
December 31, 2025 Baghdad/Iraq Observer Iraq ranked fourth globally in oil exports for 2025, despite recording a relative decline in exports of about 190,005 barrels per day.
Oil trade in 2025 was affected by geopolitical turmoil and changes in shipping routes for the second year in a row, and traded volumes saw notable changes among major exporters and importers.
The world’s largest oil exporters boosted their shipments to markets as production increased, and this was met with a smaller increase in global imports, amid weak economic activity and slowing demand growth, particularly in Asia and Europe, according to data from the 2025 Annual Harvest File issued by the Washington-based Energy Research Unit.
This, along with Western sanctions on Russian and Iranian oil and changes in shipping routes, led to a rise in floating oil stockpiles, curbing the increase in oil trade in 2025 to approximately 4% (1.8 million barrels per day).
Trade was also affected by geopolitical turmoil throughout the year; from US-China tensions over the Panama Canal, to concerns about the closure of the Strait of Hormuz – through which 21 million barrels of oil pass daily – during the Israel-Iran war, to the continued impact on traffic in the Red Sea, despite a relative improvement over 2024 . LINK
Oil Announces Its Annual Liquefied Gas Production
January 1, 2026 Baghdad/Iraq Observer The Ministry of Oil revealed on Thursday that annual production of liquefied gas in Iraq will reach three million tons during 2025, stressing that this achievement will boost oil revenues, with a plan to expand and develop production to seven million tons.
The Undersecretary of the Ministry for Gas Affairs, Izzat Saber Ismail, said in a press statement seen by the “Iraq Observer” agency that “the current production capacity of liquefied gas has reached three million tons per year of gas” (LPG), noting that “the Basra Gas Company contributes two million tons, about one million of which are allocated for export, while the remaining quantity is directed to cover local consumption.”
He added that “the North and South Gas Companies have a plan aimed at raising total production in Iraq to more than four million tons during the next year.”
He pointed out that “the ministry’s plans include reaching a production capacity of seven million tons, which will enhance Iraq’s position in regional markets and generate additional economic returns for the public treasury.”
https://observeriraq.net/النفط-تعلن-انتاجها-السنوي-من-الغاز-الم/
Al-Lami: Iraq Is Nearing Self-Sufficiency In Gas.
Economy January 1, 11:39 Information/Baghdad... MP Ali Al-Lami confirmed on Thursday that the timeframe for Iraq to reach self-sufficiency in gas has been reduced by 20%, expecting this to be achieved during the first quarter of 2027.
Al-Lami told Al-Maalouma that “the file of achieving self-sufficiency in gas and ending the flaring of associated gas in oil fields has reached advanced stages, with the time period specified for achieving this goal being reduced by up to 20%,” predicting that it will be officially announced in the first quarter of 2027.
He added that “ending the flaring of associated gas has multiple positive dimensions, most notably reducing the negative impacts on the environment and public health, as well as investing large quantities of gas in generating electricity and supporting national industries.”
He pointed out that “the introduction of other projects to develop gas fields will contribute to increasing production capacity nationwide, leading to a reduction in reliance on imports and achieving self-sufficiency in this vital resource.” https://almaalomah.me/news/119662/economy/اللامي:-العراق-يقترب-من-الاكتفاء-الذاتي-من-الغاز
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