“Iraq News” Posted by Clare at KTFA 12-21-2025

KTFA:

Clare: Sudani: We Have Proven Iraq’s Sovereignty to the International Community

12/20/2025

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Sudani said on Saturday that Iraq has achieved significant political and security victories in recent years and has proven its sovereignty to the international community.

"We have achieved major political and security successes, with recognition from the United Nations and the international community,” Sudani said, stressing the importance of resolving issues in accordance with the constitution and through national decisions.

He added, "We have proven to the international community that Iraq is a sovereign country, and we will continue to work within the framework of the Iraqi constitution.”

Regarding the completion of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), Sudani said the end of the mission reflects the success of Iraq’s programs and plans across most political and security fields.   LINK

Clare: The President calls for proceeding with the formation of a government that represents all Iraqis.

12/20/2025 - Baghdad

On Saturday, President Abdul Latif Rashid called for proceeding with the formation of a government that represents all Iraqis.

Rashid said during the memorial ceremony held by the National Wisdom Movement in the capital, Baghdad, on the anniversary of the assassination of Muhammad Baqir al-Hakim, head of the Supreme Islamic Council in Iraq, which was followed by Shafaq News Agency, that “Iraq has overcome the difficult stages after years of violence and terrorism, and before that the period of tyranny, and today we have reached a state of security and stability, and everyone should work to maintain it.”

He added that "our people have completed successful parliamentary elections, through which they have demonstrated their commitment to the principles of democracy, while pivotal milestones for the formation of the legislative and executive authorities loom before everyone."

Rashid stressed that "establishing the democratic process is a national duty, which is achieved through adherence to constitutional timelines," calling for "joining efforts and proceeding with the formation of a government that represents all Iraqis."  LINK

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Clare:  Chief Justice: The first session of the new parliament cannot be postponed or extended.

12/20/2025

The head of the Supreme Judicial Council, Faiq Zaidan, confirmed on Saturday that the first session of the new House of Representatives, scheduled for December 29, 2025, must decide on the appointment of the Speaker of the Council and his two deputies, and it is not permissible constitutionally or legally to postpone or extend it.

This came during a meeting between Faeq Zaidan, head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan party, and Bafel Talabani, according to a statement from the Supreme Judicial Council.

The Judicial Council stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that "the meeting emphasized the importance of respecting the constitutional timelines for electing the three presidencies, in order to ensure the completion of the formation of the legislative and executive authorities."

Faiq Zaidan explained that "the first session of the new House of Representatives on December 29 must end with the appointment of the Speaker of the House and his two deputies, and it is not constitutionally or legally possible to postpone or extend it."

Zidan also stressed the importance of "deciding on the nomination of the candidate for the presidency of the republic within the constitutional period of thirty days after the election of the Speaker of Parliament on the 29th of this month."

The National Political Council, which includes the Sunni forces that won the elections, is witnessing rapid political activity to announce the nomination of a candidate for Speaker of Parliament, through meetings described as positive that discussed the files of the Parliament’s presidency and the rights of the Sunni component.

This comes in parallel with the moves of the Shiite Coordination Framework, which affirmed its commitment to the constitutional deadlines and to resolving the nomination of the Prime Minister within two weeks.

President Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid had set December 29 as the date for the first session of the Iraqi parliament.   LINK

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Clare:  Warning against using it to address the financial deficit... Economic Observatory: Iraq's gold reserves at their highest levels

12/20/2025  Baghdad  –

An economic observatory announced on Saturday that Iraq's gold reserves have reached a record high of approximately $23.064 billion, while simultaneously warning against using or disposing of them to address the country's financial deficit.

The observatory stated in a report that "Iraq purchased approximately 8.2 tons of gold during 2025, bringing the total reserve to 170.9 tons." The report further explained that "this increase was distributed as follows: one ton in March, 1.6 tons in June, 3.1 tons in July, and 2.5 tons in August."

The report indicated that "the total reserve of 170.9 tons is currently equivalent to $23.064 billion, the highest level of gold reserves in Iraq's history."

The observatory attributed "this significant increase to the rise in global gold prices, and not to the volume of purchases made during 2025," explaining that "recent purchases represent approximately 6.4% of the total reserves since the beginning of this year."

The observatory warned against "any manipulation or misuse of gold reserves to cover financial deficits, whether through selling a portion of them or investing them in high-risk ventures," emphasizing that "gold is a sovereign asset dedicated to supporting financial stability, not to generating immediate revenue."  LINK

Clare:  SOMO: The oil agreement between Baghdad and Erbil will be renewed

12/20/2025

The deputy director of SOMO announced that there are no problems with the oil agreement between Erbil and Baghdad, and it will be renewed.

Hamdi Shenkali, deputy director of the Iraqi Oil Marketing Company (SOMO), stated today regarding the oil agreement between Erbil and Baghdad and its expiration at the end of this month: "The agreement will be renewed and there is no problem with it. Kurdistan Region oil will continue to flow as it is. Currently, exports have exceeded 200,000 barrels per day, and God willing, the quantity of exports will increase even more."

Regarding the duration of the agreement, he said: "The agreement was set for a period of three months and ends on December 31, but in accordance with the budget law and to ensure continuity, it will be renewed later until the problems are fully resolved."

He noted that Kurdistan Region oil is currently being delivered to the Iraqi Oil Ministry in Fishkhabur, which in turn transports the oil via pipeline to the port of Ceyhan.   LINK

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Clare: First comment from the Sudanese regarding the dollar exchange rate

 12/16/2025- Baghdad

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani confirmed on Tuesday (December 16, 2025) that changing the dollar exchange rate falls within the exclusive powers of the Central Bank of Iraq.

In a televised interview followed by “Baghdad Today”, Al-Sudani said: “Changing the dollar exchange rate is the sole prerogative of the Central Bank of Iraq,” stressing that “the government has managed to reduce the gap in the exchange rate between the official and parallel rates,” indicating the government’s success in reducing the gap in the exchange rate.

Al-Sudani added: “We currently tend to maintain stability by fixing the exchange rate and not changing it from time to time to ensure market stability,” noting that “the government strongly supported correcting the conditions of private banks in order to bring them back into the market and to operate within international standards.”  LINK

FRANK26….12-19-25……QUESTIONS TO ECONOMIST

KTFA

Friday Night Video

FRANK26….12-19-25……QUESTIONS TO ECONOMIST

This video is in Frank’s and his team’s opinion only

Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Eddie in Iraq and guests

Playback Number: 605-313-5163   PIN: 156996#

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgX-Gv2KXkQ

FRANK26….12-18-25……GOOD GUYS VS BAD GUYS

KTFA

Thursday Night Video

FRANK26….12-18-25……GOOD GUYS VS BAD GUYS

This video is in Frank’s and his team’s opinion only

Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Eddie in Iraq and guests

Playback Number: 605-313-5163   PIN: 156996#

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jirt8gnqxFQ

FRANK26….12-17-25……AGAINST THE LAW

KTFA

Wednesday Night Video

FRANK26….12-17-25……AGAINST THE LAW

This video is in Frank’s and his team’s opinion only

Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Eddie in Iraq and guests

Playback Number: 605-313-5163   PIN: 156996#

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUEQKqq13Xg

FRANK26….12-16-25…..DECEMBER 29th 2025

KTFA

Tuesday Night Video

FRANK26….12-16-25…..DECEMBER 29th 2025

This video is in Frank’s and his team’s opinion only

Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Eddie in Iraq and guests

Playback Number: 605-313-5163   PIN: 156996#

What Frank’s suit color’s mean…. FRANKS SUIT COLORS FOR CC'S..... WHITE = NEW INFO…. SILVER = INTEL FROZEN…. RED= HIGH ALERT… PURPLE=GUEST WITH US…. BLUE = AIR FORCE…. BLACK = GROUND/FF’S…. GREEN= MR OR FAB 4 ... GOLD = CHANGE… ORANGE=IMPLEMENTATION

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32LQ-VuvAmM

FRANK26….12-15-25….DEVALUED DINAR (PART 1 and 2)

KTFA

Monday Night Video

FRANK26….12-15-25….DEVALUED DINAR (PART 1)

This video is in Frank’s and his team’s opinion only

Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Eddie in Iraq and guests

Playback Number: 605-313-5163   PIN: 156996#

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6HjIZcQdUg

FRANK26….12-15-25….DEVALUED DINAR (PART 2)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiZHcwophHM

FRANK26….12-14-25….ECONOMIST AGAIN

KTFA

Sunday Night Video

FRANK26….12-14-25….ECONOMIST AGAIN

This video is in Frank’s and his team’s opinion only

Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Eddie in Iraq and guests

Playback Number: 605-313-5163   PIN: 156996#

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZk0S8b_VUY

FRANK26…..12-13-25…..CITIZENS…GET READY

KTFA

Saturday Night Video

FRANK26…..12-13-25…..CITIZENS…GET READY

This video is in Frank’s and his team’s opinion only

Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Eddie in Iraq and guests

Playback Number: 605-313-5163   PIN: 156996#

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Acluebon_wA

FRANK26….12-12-25…..TAX CODES

KTFA

Friday Night video

FRANK26….12-12-25…..TAX CODES

This video is in Frank’s and his team’s opinion only

Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Eddie and Omar in Iraq and guests

Playback Number: 605-313-5163   PIN: 156996#

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCuIiYpusAM

FRANK26….12-11-25…….ECONOMIST AGAIN

KTFA

Thursday Night Video

FRANK26….12-11-25…….ECONOMIST AGAIN

This video is in Frank’s and his team’s opinion only

Frank’s team is Walkingstick, Eddie in Iraq and guests

Playback Number: 605-313-5163   PIN: 156996#

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1nwjdVWhjg

Some “Iraq News” Posted by Clare at KTFA 12-11-2025

KTFA:

Clare: American company Starlink expresses its readiness to operate satellite internet service in Iraq.

12/11/2025- Baghdad

SpaceX (Starlink), the American company specializing in networking, information and communications technology, announced on Thursday its readiness to launch satellite internet service in Iraq within a short period.

This came during a meeting between outgoing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and a delegation from the company, in the presence of the US Chargé d'Affaires to Iraq, Joshua Harris.

According to a statement issued by the Sudanese office, the meeting discussed the final stages of granting satellite internet licenses, including to SpaceX, and enhancing cooperation in the field of communications and the services provided by the company and its coverage areas.

The statement quoted Al-Sudani as saying that Iraq has made an important leap in attracting various international companies and securing all their requirements and needs, including satellite internet systems, to sustain their work and activities.

He emphasized the government’s interest and keenness to keep pace with the development of the world of communications and information technology, and the digital transformation through cooperation with SpaceX and its entry into the Iraqi market, which today includes many promising investment opportunities.

For its part, the SpaceX Starlink delegation expressed their keenness and interest in working, providing services and cooperation in the information technology sector, stressing that their company is ready to operate and work to provide satellite internet service within a short period, after officially obtaining a license to operate in Iraq.   LINK

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Clare: Cardinal Sako: Iraqis are waiting for the birth of a new Iraq

12/11/2025

Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako stated that Iraq is a country of immense importance, not only because of its geographical location, its historical identity, its civilizations, and its wealth, but also because of the vitality of its people, their ethnic and religious diversity, and the radical thinking and creativity of its sons and daughters.

He added: After the fall of the previous regime in 2003, Iraqis aspired to a new, safe, stable, democratic, and sovereign Iraq, with a civil system that ensures equality for all citizens and places their interests above all other considerations.

 However, what transpired was a system of sectarian power-sharing and tribal sheikhdoms, which paved the way for the bitter experience of ISIS, legalized corruption, spread bribery, and established militias that, over time, became more powerful than the state, driving Iraqis, especially the elite, to emigrate!

In a message, Sako stated that today, after 22 years of experience and the recent parliamentary elections, as we prepare to welcome the new year of 2026, shouldn't we seriously revisit the essence of the change that occurred in 2003 and its objectives? This should be a courageous step towards correction and reconciliation.

 He emphasized that crises are not resolved by force, but rather by embracing contemporary culture—a more rational and realistic culture that prioritizes service, social, cultural, legal, and economic institutions, similar to those in developed countries—through dialogue, understanding, and the search for common ground.

He pointed to the importance of respecting the rule of law and implementing the concept of citizenship. Therefore, the current constitution should be amended to protect the rights and freedoms of all citizens as true and equal partners in the nation. He stressed the need to confine weapons to the state and make this a priority for the next government, as armed factions do not build a state. He also called for rejecting unilateralism, preoccupation with private interests, and the struggle for power and "representation." Finally, he emphasized the need for a strong and developed economy through concrete steps, serious monitoring of corruption, and the recovery of stolen funds for the state treasury.

He stressed that delaying the formation of the government does not serve the country, therefore it is imperative to expedite the formation of a new government that reflects the aspirations of the Iraqi people—a government that is sovereign and decisive, capable of restoring Iraq's well-being and prestige, a government that strives to implement justice, equality, and integrity, and to address failures and crises and provide services through actions, not promises.   LINK

Clare: Starting in 2026… the Ministry of Finance will suspend appointments, bonuses, and promotions pending the federal budget.

12/11/2024

The Iraqi Ministry of Finance issued an official directive to all ministries, non-ministerial entities, and governorates, stressing the strict adherence to the spending powers specified in the Federal General Budget Law for the year 2021, and preventing the creation of any new financial obligations outside the approved allocations.

The ministry stated in a document that the powers based on the provisions of Article (13/Second) of the Financial Management Law No. 6 of 2019 confirm the necessity of adopting spending in accordance with the financial ceilings contained in the budget without exceeding them, noting that the allocations were confirmed according to national and international reports without any amendment to the operational or investment budget chapters.

The government directive included a number of restrictions, most notably:
• Prohibiting transfers between chapters and sections of the operational or investment budget.
• Banning new contracts outside of approved financial allocations.
• Prohibiting funding for investment projects not included in the 2021 budget.
• Requiring ministries to submit a detailed monthly report on actual spending and remaining allocations.

The ministry stressed that any government entity that enters into contracts or commits to funding outside of the allocated funds will bear full legal responsibility, in accordance with the applicable Financial Management and Public Budget Law.

According to experts, this tightening comes within the framework of the government's attempts to impose fiscal discipline and prevent inflation of expenditures, especially with the continued economic pressures facing the country.   LINK

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Clare: The Securities Authority affirms its commitment to enhancing the investment environment in line with international standards.

12/11/2025  Baghdad (INA) 

The Securities Authority announced on Thursday the importance of strengthening frameworks for joint cooperation with the Union of Arab Securities Authorities, while pointing to the importance of enhancing the investment environment in accordance with the best international standards.

A statement issued by the commission and received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) stated that "the Iraqi Securities Commission and the Iraq Stock Exchange received the Secretary-General of the Union of Arab Securities Authorities, Jalil Tarif, on an official visit during which he affirmed the Union's keenness to enhance joint cooperation with the two parties in a way that serves the development of the securities sector in Iraq and the Arab region."

He explained that “during the meeting, ways to develop cooperation in the areas of regulation, supervision and capacity building were discussed, in addition to strengthening the legislative and regulatory environment that supports the capital market. Joint training programs were also discussed, through which the Federation seeks to raise the efficiency of employees and enhance their skills in supervision, control and regulation of markets.”

The head of the Iraqi Securities Commission, Faisal Al-Haimas, affirmed that "this visit represents an important opportunity to strengthen the frameworks of joint cooperation with the Union of Arab Securities Authorities," noting "the Commission's keenness to expand the horizons of partnership in a way that contributes to raising the efficiency of regulatory performance and enhancing the investment environment in Iraq in accordance with the best international standards."

For his part, Secretary-General Jalil Tarif explained that "the Union is ready to support the Authority and the market in all areas of cooperation, including training, exchange of experiences, and learning about the best regional and international practices, in order to enhance the efficiency of the market's performance and maintain the protection of investors."

The Iraqi Securities Commission and the Iraq Stock Exchange appreciated the visit of Secretary-General Jalil Tarif, stressing that “this cooperation represents a fundamental pillar in developing the Iraqi capital market and enhancing its role at the regional and Arab levels, in a way that achieves the Commission’s goals of improving governance, transparency and regulatory efficiency.”  LINK