The Daily Digest

Badr Organization Secretary-General Hadi al-Amiri, in a message carried in the early hours of Friday by Badr's own Al-Ghadeer TV and Watan TV, asked the Islamic Resistance in Iraq to postpone any response to what he called the American-Saudi aggression that struck Iraq, promising the families of the dead their rights would be pursued diplomatically for now. Within the same day the State Administration Coalition, the ruling bloc's coordinating body, warned armed groups to lay down weapons by 30 September, and Baghdad declared that militia activity after that date falls under the anti-terrorism law — a text state media republished as security forces entered 'high readiness'. Prime Minister al-Zaydi ordered higher military readiness as tensions rose and forces went on alert over feared militia attacks on US and Saudi interests. A government spokesman said Baghdad itself requested the Syrian border buildup and that there is no proof of attacks on Saudi targets launched from Iraqi soil.

Sabereen News, a channel close to Kataib Hezbollah said the response al-Amiri deferred was aimed at "the Saudi entity." Shabab al-Islam, a channel run by Ashab al-Kahf, went further: it said al-Amiri "calls for targeting Saudi Arabia." No Badr Organisation account carries that phrase. Three Badr accounts quote al-Amiri directly, and none of them use it.

On the economy, Iraq's projected budget deficit has climbed to 80 trillion dinars on an oil export slump, with Brent settling at 88.9 dollars a barrel, down 8.3% on the previous settlement as measured by the desk's daily series, and the electricity shortfall passing 35,000 megawatts. Al Jazeera, canvassing officials and economists, asks whether the country is entering a phase of lean years, while parliament moves to address the worsening deficit.

Still on the economy, the Kurdistan Regional Government says Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum breached contract by supplying Khor Mor gas to Baghdad's electricity ministry, says it did not approve those supplies and warns of legal action. Over the same Kurdistan asset base, Genel Energy on Friday morning rejected DNO's takeover proposal.

Amwaj argues that Iraq's rapprochement with Syria makes Baghdad more valuable rather than more exposed, and Rudaw reports that efforts to fill the remaining cabinet posts are expected to gain pace next week. The head of the census commission separately warned of population changes in Kirkuk following the 2024 census.

THINGS TO WATCH

Erbil files suit or arbitration against Dana Gas and Crescent over Khor Mormedium likelihoodhigh impactThe KRG has accused both companies of breaching contract over gas sent to Baghdad's electricity ministry without its approval and warned of legal action.

Parliament holds a session on the deficit and delayed salarieshigh likelihoodhigh impactParliament is moving to address a projected 80-trillion-dinar shortfall, and a convened session with a named outcome would settle whether the move is procedural or budgetary.

Named appointments fill the remaining cabinet postsmedium likelihoodmedium impactRudaw reports efforts to complete the cabinet were expected to gain pace next week, which would show up as ministers sworn in or nominations sent to parliament.

A Saudi investment agreement announced around the Baghdad delegation visitlow likelihoodmedium impactLawmaker Mithal al-Alusi urged Saudi investment ahead of a Baghdad delegation visit, so a signed deal or joint communique would settle whether the courting produced anything amid the strike fallout.

Iran or the KRG names sites or casualties from the claimed ground raids in Kurdistanmedium likelihoodmedium impactIran has claimed ground raids into Iraqi Kurdistan after what it called a PJAK drone strike, and named locations would test that claim against Baghdad's insistence its soil is not used against neighbours.