“Tidbits From TNT” Saturday 2-7-2026

TNT:

Tishwash: Iraqi traders' association announces market closures in protest against customs duties

The Iraqi Traders Association announced on Friday its call for a general closure of all commercial markets throughout Iraq, starting next Sunday and continuing until further notice.

The group explained in a statement received by (Al-Mada) that this step comes in protest against the new customs fees, and to demand the immediate removal of the accumulated containers from the port of Umm Qasr.

The Iraqi Traders Association called on all merchants and market owners to adhere to the closure, stressing that this step aims to achieve legitimate demands and protect the interests of the commercial sector.  link

Tishwash:  The US Treasury freezes the assets of Halbousi and two of his party leaders

An official source in Anbar province revealed on Wednesday that Jordan and the UAE have frozen the assets of the head of the Progress Party, Mohammed al-Halbousi, and two of his party leaders, due to their inclusion in the US sanctions. 

The source told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “Jordan and the UAE have frozen the assets of the head of the Progress Alliance, Mohammed al-Halbousi, the current governor of Anbar, Omar Mishaan Dabbous, and Hebat al-Halbousi, the Speaker of Parliament, due to their inclusion in the US Federal Reserve’s decision.” 

He added that "the targeted party leaders stole huge sums of money after assuming leadership positions in the central and local governments and transferred them to banks outside Iraq."

He indicated that “Mohammed al-Halbousi and Speaker of Parliament Hebat al-Halbousi failed to convince the acting US ambassador in Baghdad to mediate to lift the freeze on his funds outside Iraq and the rest of the party leaders.”

He explained that "Al-Halbousi owns, undeclared, banks and exchange offices used in currency smuggling operations from Iraq to neighboring countries," stressing that "Al-Halbousi's talks with officials at the US Embassy in Baghdad and the Kuwaiti ambassador failed to release frozen assets outside Iraq due to their inclusion in the US sanctions."  link

************

Tishwash: Al-Maliki maneuvers: “An honorable retirement” and restoring the golden age of “Da’wa”

Throwing the ball into the "framework's" court... and Washington brandishes the oil file.

Nouri al-Maliki, the candidate for the next prime minister, has thrown the ball into the court of the "Coordination Framework" regarding the decision to replace him, just hours before a meeting described as crucial to resolving the crisis surrounding the selection of the new prime minister.

It appears that Maliki has shifted his candidacy back to the Shiite alliance, at a time when data from the "Framework" indicates that two-thirds of its constituent groups, according to the majority definition within the alliance, still support the leader of the State of Law Coalition. This makes "withdrawal" the easiest way to end his candidacy.

Until recently, Maliki was clinging to the position, which he acquired as a result of what was described as a "sudden development"—one that he said personally surprised him—related to the stance of his political rival, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, the outgoing prime minister.At the time of writing, the forces within the "Coordination Framework" were preparing to hold a meeting Wednesday evening, which sources told Al-Mada was expected to be "decisive," either to proceed with Maliki as a candidate or to move towards removing and replacing him.

However, informed political sources believe that Maliki will attempt during this meeting to obtain renewed confirmation that he is the "sole candidate," given the difficulty of his supporters within the coalition backing down.

Simultaneously, Maliki's nomination is facing increasing external and internal pressure. Washington is strongly pushing for his replacement, threatening to cut aid to Iraq, while the factions of Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the Hikma Movement, and Qais al-Khazali, leader of Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, reject Maliki's appointment as prime minister.In his first media appearance after being nominated, Maliki affirmed that he is "committed to this nomination until the end," stating that "only the Coordination Framework will decide whether I continue or not, and it will decide on the alternative."

It is worth noting that the Coordination Framework voted for Maliki for the first time since its establishment nearly five years ago, with a majority, amidst divisions within the coalition, and there have been no indications so far of a change in this majority's position.

Within Shia circles, there is a prevailing opinion that Sudani's withdrawal from the race in favor of Maliki was a "political entrapment," given that the State of Law leader is rejected by several internal and external parties.According to former MP Mishaan al-Jubouri, "Sudani withdrew after hearing from Savia, Trump's envoy to Baghdad, who is the subject of much controversy, that Maliki would not succeed."Conversely, Maliki, according to political sources, is relying on the position of former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who informed him that he was "acceptable in Washington."

What does Maliki want?Nouri al-Maliki waited four prime ministers for the position to return to him, as he views the premiership as a "dignified end," considering himself one of the founding fathers of the political system in Baghdad after 2003, according to a former MP.

Maliki received the first title of "leader" after the regime change, and his famous phrase "We won't give it up" was widely used, indicating his determination to cling to power.

Despite receiving more than 700,000 votes in the 2014 elections, the position went to Haider al-Abadi.Maliki believes today that “the time is right to restore the reputation of the Dawa Party,” according to a former deputy who asked not to be named, especially after the party lost “important positions” or what was known as the “deep state” since Adel Abdul Mahdi took over the premiership in 2018.According to his opponents, Maliki and his supporters are using a combination of intimidation and conspiracy theories to remain the sole candidate. These tactics include claims that three countries are inciting US President Donald Trump against him, and warning of a "danger threatening Iraq" should the coalition withdraw its support for him.

Hassan Fad'am, a leader and former member of parliament in the Hikma Movement, told Al-Mada that Maliki's primary motivation for clinging to the position is a "lust for power," adding that securing his appointment as prime minister will be extremely difficult.Maliki is in his late seventies, and the opposition suggests his health is unstable.

Qusay Mahbouba, a close associate of al-Sudani, countered that "age is not an obstacle in politics," pointing out to Al-Mada that many world leaders assume office at advanced ages.Mahbouba believes that talk of finding a "compromise candidate" implies a move towards a weak and easily manipulated figure, asserting that Maliki's decision to run for the position at this time stems from a "high sense of responsibility."

During the two months of negotiations within the Shiite alliance that followed the recent elections, the "Coordination Framework" was unable to dissuade Maliki from running for prime minister for a third term.

 Ghalib al-Da'mi, an academic and political analyst, says that Maliki was not directly seeking the premiership, but rather that Sudani pushed him to do so.In an interview with Al-Mada, he points out that Maliki stated in a recent interview that he would withdraw if his personal interests conflicted with the national interest, but only on the condition that this was done through the party that nominated him and that the withdrawal did not open the door to foreign interference in Iraqi decision-making.

Consequently, the "Coordination Framework" may convene another meeting to nominate an alternative to Maliki if a political understanding with the United States regarding the next phase is not reached.

Al-Da'mi believes that the United States has become convinced that the current political class in Iraq is incapable of engaging with Washington's objectives, particularly concerning dealings with Iran, implementing UN resolutions on sanctions, financial support, and the operations of Iranian companies within Iraq.Al-Daami adds that the recent American stance, manifested in tweets and warning statements, is not targeting Nouri al-Maliki personally, but rather expresses a broader objection to the entire "coordination framework" due to its failure to adhere to these procedures.

According to al-Daami, al-Maliki was not initially attached to the premiership, nor was he seeking it. Rather, he was betting on Mohammed Shia al-Sudani stepping aside in favor of nominating another figure or a compromise candidate, before being surprised by al-Sudani's support for his own candidacy. Meanwhile, Washington is escalating its warnings.The US State Department confirmed it would halt aid to Iraq if Nouri al-Maliki were to assume the premiership, warning of the country's potential descent into chaos once again.

A State Department official told Al-Mada in an exclusive statement that Washington's position is based on the vision of US President Donald Trump, who had previously warned against al-Maliki's return to power. The official added, quoting Trump: "The last time al-Maliki was in power, the country descended into poverty and total chaos. That should not be allowed to happen again."The official explained that US policy toward Iraq "requires a government capable of working effectively and respectfully with the United States," emphasizing that his country is "prepared to use the full range of tools to implement the president's policy," and that this position "has been clearly communicated to the Iraqi political leadership."

In the same vein, Bloomberg reported last Tuesday, citing US officials, that Washington had informed Iraqi officials of the possibility of reducing Iraqi oil export revenues should Maliki assume the premiership. The agency added that a new warning was issued during a meeting held last week in Turkey between the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali Al-Alaq, and senior US officials.Last week, Trump described Maliki's reappointment as prime minister as a "bad choice" for Iraq, asserting that his country "will not help Baghdad" if this scenario materializes.  link

Mot: and How is Your Day!!!  

Mot: . Always Awesome to be the ""Example""