Iraq News Posted by Clare at KTFA 9-8-2026
KTFA:
Clare: The Central Bank organizes a workshop on local and international blacklists.
The Banking Studies Center at the Central Bank of Iraq, in cooperation with the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Office, organized a workshop entitled (Local and International Sanction Lists) as part of the Center’s work plan for 2026.
The workshop aimed to enhance the efficiency of financial and banking personnel and develop mechanisms for financial institutions to comply with international standards and national legislation, as well as to review mechanisms for name screening, alert management, reporting, documentation and effective follow-up procedures.
The workshop also included practical applications, case studies, and interactive scenarios to ensure that appropriate actions are taken and immediate reporting is made in accordance with approved regulations, which contributes to protecting the Iraqi financial sector and establishing a work environment based on the highest levels of compliance and transparency.
Media Office,
September 8, 2026
Clare: Iraqi factions have made their decision: sovereignty in exchange for weapons.
9/8/2026
On Tuesday, armed factions in Iraq affirmed that the issue of restricting weapons cannot be separated from achieving full sovereignty for Iraq, while considering that the September 30th deadline represents a test of the seriousness of the United States and the international coalition in implementing their commitments to the Iraqi government.
The spokesman for the Sayyid al-Shuhada Brigades, Kazem al-Fartousi, told Shafaq News Agency that the issue of restricting weapons was discussed through a committee formed from the coordination framework and another from the resistance factions, indicating that the discussions witnessed the determination of priorities regarding this issue.
Al-Fartousi explained that "the principle put forward by the factions, which cannot be divided or negotiated, is that this weapon is in exchange for sovereignty," stressing that they will not give up the weapon unless there is full sovereignty in the country.
He added that this requires protecting the Iraqi people, land, and skies, as well as national gains, in addition to protecting political decision-making and economic independence, noting that the ten demands put forward by the factions are "national and concern all of Iraq from north to south."
He explained that these demands are not related to the interests of the resistance factions, but rather represent, in his words: “a definition of sovereignty, an expression of it, and how to achieve full sovereignty for this nation.”
Regarding the government's ability to respond to these demands, Al-Fartousi pointed out that "part of these demands are included in the government program," stressing that the issue is not only about whether the government responds or not, but is related to "where Iraq's interest lies."
He pointed out that the Iraqi government represents the executive administration of the Iraqi people and the country’s interest, while the coordinating framework, as the owner of the principle and political action, bears the responsibility of considering, establishing and engineering the work of the government.
Regarding the date of September 30, and whether it represents a date for resolving the issue of restricting weapons, Al-Fartousi explained that there is "confusion about dates," and that this is the date of the withdrawal of coalition forces from Iraq.
According to him, this date represents "the first test of the seriousness of the Trump administration and the coalition in implementing their commitments to the Iraqi government," noting that "after September 30, the discussion will begin about the issue of weapons, their presence and use."
Al-Fartousi concluded his remarks by saying that some of the issues raised "need time," while other issues "only need a political decision and do not need much time."
Sources revealed two days ago that a preliminary agreement had been reached to hold a meeting that would include official government military and security parties, along with leaders from the coordination framework, representatives of the Popular Mobilization Forces, and representatives of armed factions, to discuss the mechanism for restricting weapons to the state, before the deadline of September 30, before it was postponed due to the absence of the Al-Nujaba Movement.
According to the sources, the meeting "does not mean reaching a final agreement on the mechanism for restricting weapons," but rather comes within the framework of efforts to calm tensions and prevent any possible escalation, and to try to reach solutions and understandings regarding the process of restricting weapons.
A source told Shafaq News Agency last Sunday that the armed factions will not hand over their weapons on September 30, while also mentioning the second option being discussed in the negotiations, which is to regulate or freeze the weapons.
Two weeks ago, the coordination framework formed a tripartite committee comprising Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, Nouri al-Maliki, and Hadi al-Amiri, in order to contain the repercussions of restricting weapons to the state, especially after the media escalation and scaremongering witnessed in the Iraqi arena regarding this issue.
Over the past few days, the tripartite committee has held many dialogues and discussions with the factions concerned with the issue of restricting weapons.
It is worth noting that the state’s monopoly on weapons does not have the consensus of the Iraqi factions, as the Al-Nujaba Movement, Kataib Hezbollah, Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada and other factions announced their refusal to give up their military capabilities on September 30, the date set by the Iraqi government, which coincides with the end of the international coalition’s military presence in Iraq, as these factions link the future of their weapons to the withdrawal of foreign forces.
The State Administration Coalition, which includes the most prominent Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish political forces in Iraq, had warned that any armed activity outside the framework of the state after September 30 would be dealt with according to the anti-terrorism law. LINK
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Clare: Iraq’s Coordination Framework Moves to Finalize Government and Laws
9/8/2026
At a Glance
The Coordination Framework met to fast-track stalled cabinet and legislative portfolios.
Coalition commitments to fill remaining ministerial seats under Prime Minister remain stalled.
The bloc is drafting a new internal charter to enforce unified decision-making.
Iraq’s Coordination Framework met Monday to fast-track pending ministerial appointments and advance critical gridlocked legislation, including the Oil and Gas and PMF laws, aiming to finalize government formation and establish new internal coalition rules.
Key Statements and Focus Area
The Coordination Framework’s Media Department stated that leaders reviewed critical legislation, focusing on the PMF, Oil and Gas, Federal Court, and Federation Council laws.
The bloc “decided to proceed with naming the remaining ministers to complete the government lineup and enable it to perform its duties.”
The leaders of the Coordination Framework held their regular meeting on Monday at the office of Haider al-Abadi and addressed a number of priority political and legislative files.
The leadership discussed the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) Law, emphasizing the importance of finalizing the legislation “in a manner that regulates the Commission's work and enhances its role within state institutions.”
They addressed several foundational bills—chief among them the Oil and Gas Law, the Federal Court Law, and the Federation Council Law—aiming “to contribute to completing the constitutional and institutional structure of the state.”
On the matter of government formation, the bloc evaluated current discussions, “emphasizing the necessity of resolving this file.”
The participants also discussed organizing the coalition's internal structure, stressing “the drafting of a charter and rules to regulate operational mechanisms and decision-making, thereby enhancing institutionalism and unity of position.”
FYI
The requested laws seek to resolve decades-long gridlock over federal oil revenue disputes with the Kurdistan region and finalize the incomplete constitutional structure of the state.
Additionally, the new legislation aims to firmly regulate the military hierarchy of the Popular Mobilization Forces and reform the appointments process for Iraq's highest constitutional court.
Following periods of deep political deadlock and caretaker management, Prime Minister al-Zaidi's cabinet has been working to finalize its administration.
The Framework's current push to name the "remaining ministers" is an attempt to resolve lingering disputes over vacant cabinet seats among coalition partners so the state can officially approve national budgets and execute massive infrastructure projects.
The finalization of cabinet has reached a major political impasse over the appointment of deputy prime ministers, an informed source told Channel8.
According to the source, the gridlock centers on widespread factional opposition to the nomination of Laith al-Khazali. Several political groups have raised concerns regarding a potential U.S. veto due to al-Khazali's leadership role within the Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq movement. LINK
Clare: KRG Delegation Heads to Baghdad Over 2027 Budget Share
At a Glance
A KRG delegation is heading to Baghdad to negotiate its share of Iraq’s budget.
The delegation is seeking about 29 trillion IQD, including operational and investment allocations.
The KRG says it has continued handing over oil and non-oil revenues.
A high-level Kurdistan Regional Government delegation is heading to Baghdad to negotiate the region’s share of Iraq’s 2027 draft budget. The delegation is seeking to secure the region’s financial rights and entitlements in the new budget framework.
Key Statements and Focus Area
Budget Share: The delegation is requesting approximately 29 trillion IQD as the region’s total share, including 23 trillion IQD for operational spending and 5.5 trillion IQD for investment expenditures.
Employee Entitlements: The Kurdistan Region has requested a monthly allocation of 94 billion IQD for the financial entitlements of civil and military personnel promoted since 2026.
Revenue Commitments: The KRG Ministry of Finance says the region has complied with bilateral agreements and has handed over crude oil and non-oil revenues since September 27, 2025. It is therefore calling on Baghdad to maintain regular monthly budget disbursements.
The delegation is led by KRG Minister of Finance Awat Janab and is expected to hold meetings with Iraqi Prime Minister and Minister of Finance officials.
The delegation includes Omed Sabah, Amanj Rahim, and Abdul-Hakim Khisro. The Ministers of Natural Resources, Planning, and Labor and Social Affairs are also expected to participate.
The delegation has also submitted a package covering financial entitlements for civil and military employees who received promotions from 2026 onward.
Other demands include the employment of 16,000 top-three university graduates and the conversion of contract teachers and staff to permanent positions.
The KRG is also seeking financial compensation and outstanding entitlements for retirees who have not received monthly pensions and end-of-service bonuses over the past three years.
A technical KRG financial team is already in Baghdad and has presented several points to Iraqi Finance Minister Faleh Sari.
The delegation’s main objective is to reach an agreement on the “Program and Performance Budget” being prepared by the Iraqi Ministry of Finance and ensure the Kurdistan Region’s financial rights are included.
FYI
The negotiations come as the Iraqi government moves toward a new budgeting methodology. At the same time, the KRG is seeking to secure current financial allocations as well as compensation for employee and retiree entitlements it says were not paid in previous years. LINK