Saturday, 15 August 2026

On 15 August, Al-Ahad TV (AAH — official) carried calls to investigate a reported Saudi strike on PMF sites and to question officials over PMF decisions and camp relocations; the channel’s interventions named no militia claim of responsibility for the reported strike. Iraq also formed a new command on the Saudi border after the PMF withdrawal, while the government fast-tracked air-defense upgrades following recent strikes. Separately, the Badr Organization (Iran-aligned Iraqi militia) rejected using force to disarm armed groups.

On the economy, Iran and Oman established a Strait of Hormuz navigation map; the latest PortWatch observation recorded one vessel transiting on 9 August. Separately, Iraq’s Oil Ministry signed with Japan’s JGC to resume the FCC project.

Iraq’s customs revenues reached $1.9 billion in the first seven months of 2026, with a separate report attributing record customs growth to ASYCUDA. The desk’s latest partner-mirror import reading was $3,099,044,681.902 in December 2024, while world wheat was $310 per metric ton in July.

Al-Ahad TV (AAH — official) carried calls on 15 August to investigate a reported Saudi strike on PMF sites. One guest demanded that Faleh al-Fayyad be questioned and officials responsible for PMF decisions and camp relocations referred to the judiciary; two others sought disclosure and an investigation. The channel’s interventions named no militia claim of responsibility for the reported strike.

Al-Nujaba TV (Nujaba — official) said it would not surrender weapons and challenged an unnamed counterpart. The post set no named opponent, action or timetable.

On the Jurf al-Nasr file, Shafaq reported that a panel will inspect disputed land in Jurf al-Sakhar. That is a state inspection step after militia-linked channels amplified opposition to return and resettlement language around the area.

The Interior Ministry said more than 600 tribal sheikhs cooperated in a weapons-registration initiative. The reported 600-plus participants contrast with the day’s weapons-retention messages from militia channels.

On the security file, Shafaq reported that Iraq formed a new Saudi-border command after a PMF withdrawal. The report identifies a new border command, but gives no further detail on the withdrawing PMF formation.

Twelve of 34 watched channels across five networks have surged on Israel since 10 August. The desk count adds Israel to the Iran, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Strait of Hormuz themes already elevated this week.