The Kurdistan Region’s parliament elected the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s Vala Fareed as speaker on Wednesday with 52 votes, one more than the 51 required, after lawmakers from boycotting parties broke ranks to attend. Lawmakers also elected Rami Nouri, a Christian lawmaker from Ainkawa, as deputy speaker and Muna Kahveci of the Turkmen Reform Party as secretary, each with 52 votes. It was parliament’s first quorum since its opening sitting in December 2024. The KDP, which holds 39 seats, requested the sitting, while the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, New Generation Movement and several opposition parties announced boycotts. Three lawmakers elected on the PUK’s list attended, including Hardi Salah and Mohammed Faisal, who have said they left the party and now sit as independents. Fareed said the elected leadership would remain in place regardless of future political agreements or the return of boycotting blocs. The KDP bloc said it was starting legal procedures for the Region’s presidency and formation of a new cabinet.

Abu Mujahid al-Assaf (KH — security official) accused Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and his office on Tuesday of tampering with the Popular Mobilization Forces bill intended for parliament, which received cabinet approval on 29 September. He demanded publication of both versions so the public could compare them. Sabereen News (KH — affiliated) published a comparison listing changes to commencement, duties and powers, structure, leave, and service and retirement provisions. On Wednesday, MP Abu Turab al-Tamimi said on Watan TV (Badr Organization — affiliated) that Badr insisted on the parliamentary Security and Defense Committee chairmanship and its nominee to pass the PMF Commission’s draft. Separately, al-Assaf said on Tuesday that the Islamic Resistance’s military activity inside Iraq remained halted. He also said the resistance had not received a copy of the agreement with the Coordination Framework committee. That complaint concerned receipt of the text, whereas Saud al-Saadi (KH — Hoquq bloc leader) had said Monday that the committee had agreed with factions on regulating their weapons but al-Zaidi had not signed. A senior Framework source told Asharq Al-Awsat on Wednesday that the government was seeking armed factions’ neutrality if fighting with the United States resumed, through influential intermediaries.

Separately, Iraq’s Federal Commission of Integrity confirmed the convictions of politician Alia Nassif and former Saladin governor Raed al-Jubouri for profiting from public office. A court sentenced Nassif to two years in prison and al-Jubouri to five years. It also ordered them to repay a total of 10 billion Iraqi dinars. A judicial source linked the rulings to confessions obtained during an investigation involving former deputy oil minister Adnan al-Jumaili. The source said al-Jumaili’s testimony had also led to arrest warrants for more than 70 officials. Nassif had already been sentenced to seven years in September in a separate illicit-enrichment case. In another public-funds case, a security source told Shafaq News on Wednesday that a Mosul court had sentenced former Mosul Sports Club president Raed al-Obaidi to two years for misusing public funds and property entrusted to him.

Abu Mujahid al-Assaf (KH — security official) accused Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and his office on Tuesday of tampering with the PMF bill intended for parliament. He demanded publication of both versions so the public could compare them. Sabereen News (KH — affiliated) published a comparison listing changes to commencement, duties and powers, structure, leave, and service and retirement provisions. On Wednesday, MP Abu Turab al-Tamimi said on Watan TV (Badr Organization — affiliated) that Badr insisted on the parliamentary Security and Defense Committee chairmanship and its nominee to pass the PMF Commission’s draft. He alleged that any other bloc holding the chair would yield to American pressure and fail to pass the law.

Al-Assaf also questioned Coordination Framework leaders on Tuesday about oil-sale contracts he said gave ADNOC a $47-per-barrel discount. He alleged that Tom Barrack, Tahnoon bin Zayed, Hassan Faleh al-Zaidi and Saad Wahib shared profits exceeding 4.5 trillion dinars per month. Al-Ittijah TV (KH — official) carried the names and alleged profit figure. Kurdistan24 and Shafaq News also reported his financial accusations.

Al-Assaf separately said on Tuesday that the Islamic Resistance’s military activity inside Iraq remained halted. He said any future operation would be announced immediately. He denied involvement in the previous week’s aircraft incident over Baghdad’s Green Zone, describing it as friendly fire against an aircraft friendly to the United States. Press reports also attributed to Kataib Hezbollah continued adherence to the unity-of-fronts principle and coordination and cooperation among regional factions.

Al-Assaf also said the resistance had not received a copy of the agreement with the Coordination Framework committee. His complaint concerns receipt of the text, whereas Saud al-Saadi (KH — Hoquq bloc leader) had said on Monday that the committee had agreed with factions on regulating their weapons but the prime minister had not signed. A senior Framework source told Asharq Al-Awsat on Wednesday that the government was seeking armed factions’ neutrality if fighting with the United States resumed. The source said the talks were being conducted through influential intermediaries. Hikma Movement spokesperson Hussam al-Hasani said on Monday that Iraq had received official warnings, mainly from the United States, of sanctions if it became involved in a renewed US–Israeli war with Iran.