Some “Iraq News” Posted by Clare at KTFA 4-2-2026

KTFA:

Clare:  Economist: Iraq urgently needs to form a government and approve the 2026 budget to secure salaries.

 4/2/2026  Information/Baghdad...

Economic expert Nabil Al-Marsoumi emphasized on Thursday the need for Iraq to form a new government with full powers to address the country's economic situation, noting the necessity of preparing the 2026 budget to cover salaries and services.

Al-Marsoumi stated in a post on social media, which was monitored by the Information Agency, that “despite Iraq continuing to export oil through the Strait of Hormuz until March 8th, oil revenues did not exceed $1.9 billion, equivalent to approximately 2.5 trillion dinars. This means that Iraq needs to secure an additional 5 trillion dinars just to pay salaries for the fifth month.”

He stressed "the necessity of expediting the formation of a fully empowered Iraqi government and preparing the 2026 budget to provide the government with the legal basis for internal and external borrowing, discounting transfers at the Central Bank of Iraq, and taking other measures to meet the basic needs of the Iraqi people, especially those related to salaries, social welfare, and essential services such as water, electricity, and others."   LINK

Clare: Masour Barzani and the Prime Minister of Qatar call on Baghdad to impose its control over "outlaw groups".

4/2/2026  Kurdistan – One News

 On Thursday, April 2, 2026, the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Masrour Barzani, discussed in a telephone call with the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the overall situation in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq and the region.

During the call, both sides expressed their condemnation of the terrorist attacks targeting the Kurdistan Region and Qatar, stressing their deep concern about the escalating war and tensions in the region, and emphasizing the importance of preserving the foundations of peace, security and stability.

Both sides agreed that militias and outlaw groups pose a real threat and danger, and stressed the need for the Iraqi government to impose its control over them.

For his part, the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister stressed the importance of maintaining peace and stability, noting the need to take these threats and risks into account.

In a related context, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani reiterated the Kurdistan Region’s solidarity with the Qatari people, and both sides agreed on the need to maintain communication and continue coordination to overcome current challenges and obstacles.  LINK

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Clare: Baghdad responds to Washington's security warnings: These are isolated incidents, and we are not a party to the conflict.

4/2/2026

The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded on Thursday evening to the security warnings issued by the US Embassy, ​​stating that the violations that are occurring are individual attempts, and that Iraq is not a party to the conflict. 

The ministry said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that "we have followed the statement issued by the US Embassy regarding potential security concerns, and we affirm our clear and unwavering commitment to keeping Iraq out of the circle of conflict in the region. Iraq is not a party to this conflict and does not wish to be part of it, despite being one of the countries most affected by its security, economic and political repercussions."

The ministry continued: “Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, the Iraqi government affirms that some entities or individuals may attempt, contrary to the state’s directives, to take unilateral actions or exploit their positions or job titles to carry out actions that do not represent official policy.”

She pointed out that "such individual actions or actions by limited groups are illegal and do not in any way reflect the role of the Iraqi government or its institutions." 

She explained that “the occurrence of cases of abuse of power by individuals in various countries around the world does not justify issuing collective judgments or holding governments or any institution responsible for individual actions, as the government’s position on these actions is evident from its strict practical and public stances against these actions, and from its characterization of them, which calls for surprise at this position.”

She explained that "what further complicates the situation is that this conflict is taking place amid a clear decline in adherence to the legal and humanitarian standards that govern armed conflicts according to international law and international humanitarian law, making it an open war whose scope is expanding and whose repercussions are becoming more complex." 

She noted that "this has practically affected countries that are not party to it, including Iraq, which poses additional challenges to the Iraqi government in its efforts to contain the repercussions and prevent the conflict from spreading into Iraq."

She indicated that "the Iraqi government affirmed that, at this exceptional political, economic and military stage, and with the constraints imposed by the caretaker government, it is making every effort to prevent any escalation, strengthen security measures, protect diplomatic missions, foreign interests and citizens, and maintain internal stability. It also continues to take the necessary steps to ensure that Iraqi territory is not used as a launching pad for any hostile acts."

The US embassy in Baghdad had warned earlier on Thursday of the possibility of attacks by "Iranian-backed militias" in the center of the capital within 24 to 48 hours, urging US citizens to leave Iraq "immediately".

The embassy said in a security alert, published on its official social media account, that the Iraqi government “has not been able to prevent terrorist attacks” that occur within or originate from Iraqi territory, noting that some members of those groups may carry identification documents claiming they are employees of the Iraqi government.  LINK

Clare: An American institute: The Trump administration does not support the Sudanese president, and his continued rule will make him an adversary of Washington.

3/29/2026

The middle East Institute concluded that outgoing Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is no longer the preferred candidate of the United States because he is "doubling down on his bets" on Iran and has not curbed the militias, at a time when the balance seems to be tipping in Washington's favor in its current battle.

After the American Institute spoke in a report translated by Shafaq News Agency, about the existence of two rounds of voting in Iraqi democracy, the first of which is when Iraqis vote for candidates in parliamentary elections, which does not produce a candidate or party that obtains a majority of votes.

The second involves numerous backroom deals after the final election results are announced, where those who received a fair number of votes try to gain the support of key stakeholders, including the leaders of major parties, and also try to gain the support of the United States and Iran.

The American report indicated that al-Sudani is strongly seeking to win a second term as he has much to boast about, as infrastructure has been developed since he took office and Iraq has been in a state of relative peace, although there have been many dark clouds during his term, including the “wiretapping scandal” that almost cost him his position.

He went on to say that it appeared that many other parties, including Iran, had concluded that it was better to have a "weak" prime minister than to have a new one while allegations of corruption were being raised, and many critics pointed to his brother Abbas Shia al-Sudani, who was believed to be acting as his unofficial agent.

The report noted that al-Sudani is trying hard to establish himself as a key and permanent power broker, as is the case with Nouri al-Maliki and Hadi al-Amiri, as his pictures appear in public places much more than they did during al-Maliki’s era. The report says that many Iraqis fear that al-Sudani’s second term could “whitewash” the mistakes of the first term and allow him to consolidate himself at the expense of democracy.

The report argued that, given the escalating war between the United States and Iran, it is not easy to be prime minister in Iraq. However, with the military balance tilting in favor of the United States, the respect that Iraqi politicians should show to Iran diminishes, but al-Sudani did not grasp the message.

The report went on to explain that Sudan is doubling down on its bets on Iran, even though any Iraqi leader who puts his country first should stay away from the conflict, recalling the March 24 decision which declared that Iranian-backed militias have the right to respond to any attacks targeting them, noting that the decision comes at a time when Kataib Hezbollah is launching drones and missiles at American targets inside Iraq.

He pointed out that the Sudanese may be "afraid" of Iran, and that his position may encourage further Iranian violations of Iraqi sovereignty and endanger Americans.

He added that US President Donald Trump, envoy Steve Wittkopf, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio should make it clear that al-Sudani will not receive US support for a second term, and that Washington will consider him an adversary if he does not step down.

The report concluded by saying that, given the possibility of Sudani’s departure and the escalating crisis in the Middle East, Iraq would need a prime minister to guide his country through the turmoil without dragging it into conflict, whereas Sudani could no longer do so.

The report noted the presence of technocratic figures waiting on the sidelines, as well as senior figures from previous Iraqi administrations whose credentials are not based on empty promises but on action.

The report concluded that Washington now realizes that al-Sudani is no longer necessary, and has a preferred candidate to succeed him.   LINK