The Daily Digest

On 15 August, the Sadiqoun bloc asked the prime minister to expedite submission of the PMF law to parliament, a request detailed in the militia digest published beside this briefing. A government security spokesperson said the weapons policy does not concern the PMF, while drone attacks were reported to be testing the 30 September weapons deadline.

Baghdad and Erbil held senior talks on implementing the Iraq-Iran security agreement, with discussions covering border-security coordination and smuggling controls. Iraq’s security chief also discussed the border pact and drone attacks in Erbil, where the Security Media Cell said there was no indication that drones targeting the city were launched from Iraqi territory.

Iraq’s August oil exports reached roughly two million bpd, and one report put the daily level at its highest since the war began. Reports of plummeting exports came as Baghdad prepares its 2027 budget, whose first parliamentary reading is expected next week. Strait of Hormuz transit calls stood at one vessel on 9 August, while the Foundation for Defense of Democracies said Iraq needs new Gulf export routes to ease financial pressure.

Iraqi security forces dismantled an international drug-trafficking network in territorial waters in what was described as Iraq’s first deep-water drug raid.

Hospital projects worth $1.26 billion came under corruption scrutiny, while the anti-corruption campaign detained an Electricity Ministry official. Parliament also sought an investigation into the Camp Taji fire.