The Daily Digest

Iraqi armed factions have until Sept. 30 to hand their weapons to the Popular Mobilization Forces under a transfer mechanism now set out, and the government is increasing pressure on the factions as the deadline nears. A deputy speaker says the parliamentary speakership backs the contested PMF law, and parliament has opened a probe into whether Iraqi officials had prior knowledge of the US-Saudi strikes on Iraq — the strikes Washington and Riyadh carried out, and for which the PMF blames a Shabak brigade's 'negligence' while rejecting accusations against its chairman Falih al-Fayyadh. Nujaba secretary-general Akram al-Kaabi rejected US pressure over Iraqi oil, and a militia leader attacked Saudi Arabia and called for military strikes on it.

Still on the security file, security forces created a new command to guard Iraq's southwest borders and are shifting Tuz Khurmatu and Daquq under Kirkuk command, a redrawing of the disputed-areas map alongside the disarmament push. Al-Nujaba TV (Nujaba — official) carried two of its own people in opposite directions on the handover within twelve minutes on Monday morning — a Nujaba member framing al-Kaabi's message as keeping faith with the martyrs, and MP Miqdad al-Khafaji demanding guarantees in exchange for handing over the resistance's weapons because Iraqi airspace is exposed; the militia digest beside this one has the channel-level detail.

On the domestic front, the Baghdad Appeals Court issued two arrest warrants for former labor minister Ahmed al-Asadi, summoned former finance minister Taif Sami and requested the removal of MP Nazim al-Asadi's immunity, while authorities arrested a senior Trade Ministry official, former Salah al-Din governor Ahmed al-Jubouri and an automobile company chief. Prime Minister al-Zaidi's office says there is no mercy for corrupt officials, puts recoveries at 390 billion dinars, $141 million and 500kg of gold, and says the nine vacant ministries will be filled next week.

In the north, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani put the Region's trade down 70% as a result of the US-Iran war, the war whose closure of Hormuz has cut Iraq's exports, and Region President Nechirvan Barzani described Erbil-Baghdad ties as in a 'very good' phase. With shipping disruption pushing Iraqi trade toward the Syrian market, Iraqi News Agency reports the finance minister telling the central bank governor that current conditions require continued coordination.

On the economy, Korek Telecom has asked the prime minister to intervene in its dispute with Iraq's communications regulator, arguing the regulator lacks the authority to suspend its operations, and protests over power shortages in Kut turned into clashes. An Iraqi delegation has left for Iran for energy and Hormuz talks, and Iraq's role is described as the ultimate test of OPEC+ cohesion after the UAE's exit.

THINGS TO WATCH

A named faction hands weapons to the PMF, or publicly refuses, before Sept. 30low likelihoodhigh impactThe government has set a Sept. 30 transfer mechanism to the PMF and is escalating pressure, so the first faction to comply or refuse under its own name settles whether the deadline binds.

Parliament's prior-knowledge inquiry summons a named security official over the US-Saudi strikesmedium likelihoodhigh impactParliament has opened a probe into whether Iraqi officials knew of the strikes in advance, and a summons or hearing would show whether it reaches the security leadership.

Al-Zaidi names ministers to the nine vacant ministriesmedium likelihoodmedium impactThe prime minister said the nine vacant portfolios would be filled next week, a date that falls inside the window.

Parliament votes on the Appeals Court's request to lift MP Nazim al-Asadi's immunitymedium likelihoodmedium impactThe court has formally requested the removal, and the chamber's response tests whether the crackdown reaches sitting legislators.

The prime minister's office rules on Korek's appeal against the communications regulatormedium likelihoodmedium impactKorek asked the PM to intervene against a suspension it says the regulator cannot order, so an instruction either way settles who holds regulatory authority over the operator.