Tues. AM Iraq News Posted by Tishwash at TNT 6-30-2026
TNT:
Tishwash: A politician reveals that the arrest of Al-Sudani and Al-Halbousi has been postponed until the next round of arrests.
The director of the Iraqi Media Center in Washington
Nizar Haider, revealed on Monday that the arrest warrants for the head of the Progress Alliance, Mohammed al-Halbousi, and former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani remain in effect and will be executed within the next few days on charges related to corruption and money laundering.
Haider told Al-Maalomah News Agency that "the Integrity Commission will execute arrest warrants within the next few days against former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and the head of the Progress Alliance, Mohammed al-Halbousi, for their involvement in stealing huge sums of money and transferring them to foreign banks, in addition to possessing a fortune equivalent to the budgets of some countries."
He added that "the US Federal Reserve has placed al-Sudani and al-Halbousi at the top of its list of most wanted individuals for their involvement in corruption cases during their tenure in leadership positions in the central government," clarifying that "the arrest of al-Sudani and al-Halbousi has been postponed until the coming days, and what has been rumored about political settlements to cancel the arrest warrants is baseless."
He added that "Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's office, in coordination with the Counter-Terrorism Service, will pursue those involved in stealing huge sums of money from the country's treasury in hard currency and imprison them to recover the stolen funds." link
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Tishwash: Al-Zaydi directs the opening of a special account to collect funds "looted" from public property in Iraq
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al- Zaidi has instructed the Minister of Finance to open a special bank account – not for savings, but to recover millions of dollars looted from public assets . This is the first practical step to recover stolen funds through legal proceedings against officials
implicated
in the “ Dawn ” campaign . The Prime Minister ’s legal advisor , Munir Haddad , told Rudaw Media Network : “ Those accused of stealing public funds and plundering the Iraqi state in recent years will be tried and punished according to the Iraqi Penal Code and other relevant laws pertaining to money laundering and crimes against public funds .
The judiciary and the government will not be satisfied with merely recovering the funds ; the government is determined to combat corruption and eradicate corrupt individuals , showing no favoritism to anyone , regardless of their position.”
The scope of arrests in the “Dawn” campaign has widened, and some of the accused officials fled before security forces arrived , but the search for them continues . Badr Alliance MP Noor Adel told Rudaw Media Network : " Unfortunately, today, the highest legislative authority , when you become an MP, makes you subject to questioning , accusation , and..."
Extortion and other such practices— let them clean up all the institutions . We agree that they should start with us first, and God willing , it will reach its end, God willing , there will be a solution, and God willing , the people will see the light.”
The Iraqi government officially announced that the operation would continue, emphasizing that no foreign forces other than Iraqi forces were participating . Operation Dawn is not just a military name ; it is a true test of the rule of law in Iraq, and Iraqis hope that these reforms will target the “ big fish” who operate behind the scenes and not just the “ small fry .” link
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Tishwash: To combat waste and corruption: The Law for the Protection of Currency Issuance in Iraq
According to official statements issued by the Central Bank of Iraq, the total volume of Iraqi currency in circulation is 100 trillion dinars. Based on relevant statements and analyses, 70% of this currency is not circulating within the national banking sector (both public and private) and is hoarded by individuals and companies for various purposes.
The presence of cash outside the banking system has numerous negative consequences and risks for the economy. Holding cash is different from saving and hoarding money; its presence in such quantities reduces the money supply and creates an impression of illicit activity.
It also exposes its holders to various risks, including theft, assault, and damage. Furthermore, the existence of unused cash creates an incentive to convert it into other forms, some of which are detrimental. Some resort to converting dinars into foreign currencies, most notably the dollar, which puts undue pressure on demand and leads to higher exchange rates in the parallel market. Others use it for real estate purposes, such as land and buildings, creating high demand and price imbalances.
Cash can also... It is diverted to stagnant and economically unproductive uses such as gold, diamonds, and the acquisition of expensive items like watches and accessories. This encourages the illegal trade of bringing in these goods through outlets outside the authority of the state, which already exist.
The hoarding of cash is not always due to weaknesses in the banking sector. It may stem from a reluctance to disclose the source of the funds deposited. Those who hoard cash can certainly be divided into categories.
The first consists of public and private sector employees with surplus income who haven't found suitable ways to invest it. The second comprises business owners and investors across various sectors who receive high revenues and profits and prefer to keep all or part of their earnings in cash, believing it to be the safest and most flexible method of investment.
The third category is largely made up of tax evaders who don't want to disclose their wealth and are waiting for an opportunity to convert it into concealed assets. The most dangerous category consists of corrupt individuals, thieves, and those with ill-gotten gains who fear exposure due to the suspicions and questions that such figures raise.
Finally, there is a category of people who cannot publicly disclose their financial dealings because the source of their funds is unknown. Illicit trade in prohibited substances such as drugs and weapons increases the hoarding of money whenever there are pressures, restrictions, or fears to convert it into funds through investments or deposit it outside the country. It is certain that the crises that befell the banks of neighboring countries are related to the increase in hoarding of money within the country.
The issue of hoarding cash is not hidden from any official body. The Central Bank is the one that announces the decrease in the percentage of uncirculated currency issued from time to time. The case of (A.J.), which is expected to be a gateway to revealing corruption, is what stirred people's feelings about the subject, especially after showing scenes and pictures that reveal the hiding of billions in miserable ways and the burning of millions of dollars.
According to leaks and expectations, there are trillions hidden in various ways in places chosen by cash hoarders. This is a serious and important matter, especially when a percentage of the currency issued is unused or in the possession of thieves and corrupt people, with the possibility of it being damaged when the refuge is burning, burying, or other reactions. All of these things happened and are happening because the authority responsible for currency did not find the appropriate methods to attract and bring that money into local circulation.
Current instructions impose restrictions on the amount that a traveler can take out not exceeding $10,000, with the prohibition of taking out the dinar commission outside of official transfers.
We believe it has become essential for legislative and executive bodies to adopt a draft law (or amend an existing law) accompanied by regulations and instructions aimed at protecting the issuance of currency, without infringing upon personal freedoms and property rights guaranteed by the constitution and laws. This can be achieved through several means and tools.
The first of which is: setting a maximum limit for cash holdings, whereby any natural or legal person is prohibited from holding liquid cash exceeding 100 million dinars or the equivalent of 50,000 US dollars in foreign currencies outside the banking system. Any amount exceeding this must be deposited within six months of the law's enactment.
The second is: restricting transactions to banks and subjecting all sales, purchases, and transfers of goods and services exceeding 10 million dinars to payment through banking channels (check, transfer, card, electronic wallet), making cash payments a violation with penalties.
The third is: activating the "From Where Did You Get This?" law, requiring every depositor with an amount exceeding 50 million dinars to disclose the source of funds, and obligating banks to audit and report any suspected money laundering.
Fourth: Criminalizing the destruction and concealment of currency. Destroying, burning, burying, or concealing the national currency is considered a violation of sovereignty and a crime of economic sabotage, punishable by imprisonment for 5-10 years plus a fine many times the amount.
Fifth: Tax clearance for valuable goods. Purchasing, importing, and trading any commodity or possession exceeding 50 million dinars in value (real estate, car, gold, watches, precious items) requires submitting a tax clearance certificate and payment exclusively through the banking system.
Sixth: Bank transparency. The Central Bank shall require government and private banks to adopt transparent windows for transfer and deposit operations, similar to the dollar sale window, and to publish a weekly report on the volume of major deposits and withdrawals. Seventh: Granting a reward of 5% of the seized amount to anyone who reports illegal cash outside the regulations, with a guarantee of legal immunity for the informant and confidentiality of information. link
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Tishwash: Al-Zaydi: I will not receive a salary and I will not accept a gift... and the employees' salaries are guaranteed.
Prime Minister Ali Al-Zidi confirmed on Monday that the salaries of state employees are secure and regular, while renewing his pledge not to receive a salary or accept any gift, and announced proceeding with the establishment of an energy and development fund.
Al-Zaydi said in a press statement followed by Al-Furat News that “the salaries of state employees are secured and regular, and we are very keen on this point,” indicating that “the size of the debt at the beginning of the government’s work amounted to about 208 trillion dinars, while the budget depends on oil by 93%, compared to 7% non-oil revenues.”
He added: “I will not receive a salary, nor will I accept a gift, even if it is a necktie, and my hands will not touch public money,” stressing that “the government will direct the Minister of Finance to open a special account to recover Iraq’s money from those who were involved with it, and we will take a different stance with anyone who refuses to return it.”
He pointed out that "the National Sovereignty Conference will be announced at the end of this year, and will enshrine the monopoly of power in the hands of the state and its agencies only," noting that "the government will not run for another term and will not establish a political party, nor will it allow any dictates from outside the borders, neither from the East nor from the West."
Al-Zaidi explained that "his next visits after Washington will be to Türkiye, Iran and Saudi Arabia, in addition to receiving invitations to visit France, Britain and Germany."
On the economic front, Al-Zaydi announced the establishment of the “Energy and Development Fund” with contributions from the Central Bank of Iraq, which will be offered for public subscription. He indicated that the government will extend an invitation to Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, in addition to American and European banks, to contribute to the fund, which will focus on financing development, industry, agriculture, and other sectors. link
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Tishwash: From markets to screens: How has e-commerce changed Iraqis' consumer habits?
E-commerce expert Mohammed Salman Al-Amiri confirmed on Monday (June 29, 2026) that Iraq is witnessing a rapid shift in consumption patterns, driven by digital developments and the spread of communication and e-commerce applications, which has changed consumer behavior and methods of purchasing and payment in recent years.
Al-Amiri told Baghdad Today that the great development in digital technologies and the emergence of dozens of electronic applications have provided unprecedented flexibility in communication and exchange of services, which has directly affected the daily lives of Iraqi families, especially in shopping methods and meeting needs.
Online shopping and delivery services are leading the way.
He explained that a large segment of citizens now rely on purchasing their needs through social media platforms and electronic applications, especially in the areas of food, clothing and household appliances, in conjunction with the continuous expansion of delivery services that have become an essential part of commercial activity inside and outside cities.
He added that "delivery" services are no longer limited to residential neighborhoods or city centers, but have expanded to include the transport of goods and orders between governorates through companies and digital platforms that connect stores with consumers directly, noting that the rates of reliance on this type of shopping are recording annual growth ranging between 10 and 25%.
Ready-made meals top consumer priorities
Al-Amiri explained that the demand is no longer focused on traditional goods only, but has increasingly extended to ready-made meals and food, which have become a daily choice for a large number of families, especially families where both spouses work or employees face time constraints.
Continued growth despite the challenges
He pointed out that the digital transformation also included payment methods, with the increasing use of bank cards and electronic financial services, compared to a relative decline in reliance on cash among a segment of citizens, despite the continuation of some concerns related to the security of electronic payments and the previous experiences of some users.
He stressed that market indicators show the continued expansion of e-commerce and digital financial services in the coming years, with expectations of an increase in the number of users who will rely on bank cards and electronic wallets as a primary means of purchasing, saving, and conducting daily transactions.
Over the past decade, Iraq has witnessed a remarkable expansion in the use of the internet and smartphones, which has contributed to the growth of e-commerce, delivery services, and digital payment.
Experts believe that this transformation is reshaping Iraqi consumer behavior and creating new economic opportunities, but it requires developing the digital infrastructure and enhancing confidence in the electronic payment system. link