Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Tuesday Evening 2-17-26
Al-Arabiya TV: US Deadline For Withdrawing Nominations Of Maliki And Sudani Extended
Baghdad – One News A report published by Al-Araby TV confirmed that a secret American message was sent to supporters of Nouri al-Maliki, giving them until February 16 to respond to the demand to withdraw his candidacy and end their support for him.
According to the website, the message contained threats of imposing sanctions on the Shiite forces involved in the coordination framework, and major economic sanctions on Iraq, if this did not happen.
The report indicated that the sanctions target the Central Bank and the Iraqi State Oil Marketing Company (SOMO), as well as Nouri al-Maliki and any figure within the coalition proven to support him. The report added that, with the expiration of the deadline given by the administration of US President Donald Trump to the parties within the coalition, the caretaker government led by Mohammed Shia al-Sudani initiated contacts to mitigate US pressure.
Al-Sudani reportedly contacted the US side to request an extension until the end of the week to resolve the issue of al-Maliki's withdrawal from the race for the premiership of the new Iraqi government, before the United States proceeds with its potential sanctions. https://1news-iq.net/التلفزيون-العربي-مهلة-أميركية-لسحب-تر/
State Of Law: Replacing Maliki With Another Candidate For Prime Minister Is "Exclusively" In The Hands Of The Coordinating Framework.
026-02-17 02:09 Shafaq News – Baghdad On Tuesday, Abbas al-Moussawi, a leader in the State of Law Coalition, affirmed the coalition's commitment to nominating Nouri al-Maliki for the position of Prime Minister in the next Iraqi government, stressing that any change must be made through consensus within the forces of the Coordination Framework "exclusively".
These assurances from the State of Law coalition come at a time when the nomination of its leader, former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, is facing increasing international pressure, as US President Donald Trump has explicitly expressed his objection to the coalition leader’s return to the premiership, threatening to halt aid to Iraq.
Although the coordination framework has shown declared cohesion in its official statements, observers point to a state of caution and hesitation in proceeding with this option to avoid an early clash with the US administration.
Al-Moussawi said in a post on the social networking site Facebook today, “Our position is firm, there is no withdrawal or retreat, because it is a position based on a firm conviction and a moral and political commitment to the framework decision,” referring to Maliki as a candidate for the position of the next federal prime minister.
He added, "We are part of this decision and not outside of it, and we believe that unity of position and respect for the agreed mechanisms are the basis of stability and steadfastness."
Al-Moussawi also pointed out that “Al-Maliki was assigned according to the same mechanism and by the will of the framework, so any change in the course or in the people can only be done through the same framework and according to its decision,” stressing that “our commitment is not formal, but rather a commitment to the institution, to the approach, to the principle of partnership in decision-making, and to preserving the unity of the framework and the decision of its largest constituent bloc.”
It is worth noting that the Coordination Framework announced at the beginning of 2026 the nomination of Maliki for the position of Prime Minister, more than two months after the sixth legislative elections in Iraq. The decision was met with rejection and discontent from some political leaders inside Iraq, most notably the leader of the Sunni “Progress” party, former Speaker of Parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi.
A few days ago, the US president returned to comment on al-Maliki's nomination, saying in press statements that he is considering the issue of appointing a new prime minister in Iraq, while indicating that he has "some options" regarding that.
State Of Law: Withdrawing Maliki's Nomination Is "Impossible," And The Leaders Of The Framework Must Show Courage.
Baghdad Today – Baghdad: Jassim Mohammed Jaafar, a leading figure in the State of Law Coalition, confirmed on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, that it is impossible to withdraw Nouri al-Maliki's nomination for the position of Prime Minister.
In a televised statement monitored by Baghdad Today, Jaafar said, "Replacing al-Maliki can only happen through a decision by the Coordination Framework, by nominating an alternative candidate, provided that 80% of the Framework's leaders agree on this measure."
Jaafar called on the Coordination Framework to "make a decisive decision regarding al-Maliki's nomination and to act with courage and without hesitation," stressing the need to avoid relying on other political blocs or external parties in this matter.
Meanwhile, Hisham al-Rikabi, the media advisor to the head of the State of Law Coalition, denied on Tuesday the reports circulating about the Coordination Framework withdrawing Nouri al-Maliki's nomination for Prime Minister.
In a post on his account on the X platform, al-Rikabi stated, "In light of the malicious media campaign promoting claims that al-Maliki's nomination has been withdrawn by the Coordination Framework and the introduction of alternative names, we affirm that these reports are baseless."
He added that "the coordinating framework is committed to its political positions," stressing that "attempts to confuse public opinion will not succeed." https://baghdadtoday.news/293480-.html
CF Awaits Court Ruling To Resolve Presidency And Premiership Dispute
2026-02-17 Shafaq News- Baghdad The Coordination Framework, the coalition of Iraq’s ruling Shiite forces, is awaiting the Federal Supreme Court’s response on constitutional deadline violations and their consequences to determine an ending scenario to resolve the dispute over the presidency and premiership, a source within the CF told Shafaq News on Tuesday.
“The closest proposal under discussion is to extend the term of the current caretaker government headed by Mohammed Shia al-Sudani for six months with limited powers,” the source added, noting that a delegation from the Reconstruction and Development bloc visited leaders of the Shiite political camp last week to discuss the causes of the political impasse and ways to overcome it.
The discussions concluded on the need to avoid consequences resulting from nominating a controversial candidate at a time of significant national challenges, “taking into account messages from Washington and its warning of potential economic sanctions targeting the State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) and the Central Bank of Iraq.”
Meanwhile, Abbas al-Moussawi, a senior member of the State of Law Coalition (SLC) led by Nouri Al-Maliki, reaffirmed the coalition’s commitment to nominating Al-Maliki for the post of prime minister in the next Iraqi government, stressing that any change must occur exclusively through consensus within the Coordination Framework.
Earlier, a source informed Shafaq News that Al-Maliki rejects reports of a potential withdrawal from the race for Iraq’s premiership, noting that no meeting of the CF was scheduled to reassess his nomination.
The Coordination Framework, representing more than 185 of Iraq’s 329 parliamentary seats, had nominated Al-Maliki as its candidate for prime minister; he previously led two governments from 2006 to 2014.
US President Donald Trump has publicly opposed Al-Maliki’s potential return to office, asserting that Iraq would have “zero chance of success, prosperity, or freedom” under his administration and warning that Washington “will no longer help Iraq” if he is chosen. https://www.shafaq.com/en/Iraq/CF-awaits-court-ruling-to-resolve-presidency-and-premiership-dispute
Japan Funds $280M Environmental Project In Kurdistan Region
2026-02-17 Shafaq News- Erbil The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is set to begin implementing the first phase soon at a cost of $288 million, covering the treatment and rehabilitation of sewage networks extending up to 75 kilometers, Erbil Governor Omed Xoshnaw said on Tuesday.
In a statement, Xoshnaw noted household wastewater will be reused to irrigate parks and public gardens, and the second phase, estimated at $300 million, will be launched at a later stage. He described the initiative as the largest environmental infrastructure project in Erbil, while it will reduce pollution and prevent wastewater from contaminating the Greater Zab River and groundwater.
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The first stage of Erbil's heavy water recycling project has been implemented by (288 million dollars)
Today Tuesday 2026.2.17, Umed Khoshnaw, the governor of Erbil, in the province, welcomed a senior delegation of the Japanese Agency, with the presidency of "Taketsuru Eko" the deputy director of the famous agency in Iraq and Kurdistan Region.
At the beginning of the meeting, discussions about the "heavy water recycling project" in Erbil and solving the water problems in Erbil, which is the first phase of the ($288 million) by the Japanese Jika Agency will soon be implemented to solve the water problems, the project is one of the important and strategic projects The regional government and the largest environmental underground project in the capital of Kurdistan Region, the first stage of the project will be done (75 kilometers) and the wastewater of the homes will be cleaned again and used for parks and gardens and the water will be built in a modern way, it is the decision.
After the first phase of the project, the second phase of the project will be implemented with 300 million dollars, the benefits of the project are to reduce environmental pollution, preventing mixing water with large water and underground water, and for watering trees and trees around Erbil as a green belt.
In that case, the governor of Erbil, the works of the renowned agency appreciated and thanked the Japanese government and Jaika Agency for their support to the Kurdistan regional government offices and continued their cooperation, and highlighted that the general steps of Japanese and Jika Agency for implementing high service projects. Appreciate, they have done many projects in the field of water, water, and other services in the past.
He also said: "In the policy framework of the Kurdistan Region government, we wish that the cooperation and cooperation between Kurdistan region and Japan should improve and benefit from the ability of professionals in Japan to implement more service projects and more opportunities for Japanese companies in Kurdistan. It will be enlightened and further developed the relationship between the two sides.
The project follows the launch of a separate $479 million water infrastructure project in Erbil, which aims to transfer 480,000 cubic meters of water per day from the Greater Zab River to around 1.5 million residents.
Iraq faces its most severe water crisis in eight decades, with strategic reserves falling to their lowest levels since the 1940s. More than 70% of Iraq’s water originates outside its borders, while the Euphrates has lost over 60% of its flow in the past two decades, and the Tigris continues to shrink, increasing pressure on drinking supplies, agriculture, and electricity generation.
Read more: Drop by drop: Can Iraq avert a thirsty future?
https://www.shafaq.com/en/Kurdistan/Japan-funds-280M-environmental-project-in-Kurdistan-Region