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AMWAJDinar devaluation fuels showdown over Iraq’s 2027 budget17MRUDAWIraqi PM defends dinar devaluation amid public anger5HTHE NEW REGIONCoordination Framework slams dinar devaluation, proposes relief measures5HTHE NEW REGIONDrones target Iranian Kurdish opposition group in Erbil province5HSHAFAQTwo-drone attack targets refugee camp in Erbil5HSHAFAQPM Al-Zaidi explains 1,500-dinar dollar rate to parliament7HKURDISTAN24Iraqi PM: Speculators Benefited from Previous Dollar Rate Differential7HSHAFAQSource: Iraqi leaders backed dollar hike before announcement8HIRAQI NEWSSyria to provide alternative route for Iraq’s oil exports9HTHE NEW REGIONIraqi PM Zaidi to appear in parliament over dinar devaluation: MP10HIRAQI NEWSIraq offers $2.80 per barrel discount for November oil sales10HSHAFAQIraq targets zero North Oil flaring by 202710HSHAFAQPKK: All fighters withdrawn from Turkiye11HAPIraq rejects Syrian request to repatriate 4,000 suspected IS detainees, official says11HINAIraq and Kuwait Discuss Developing Security Cooperation and Enhancing the Security of Their Shared Border11H964 MEDIAFederal agency arrests terrorism suspect in Erbil in joint operation with Kurdish forces12H
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IRAQ MONITOR · THE BRIEFING

The Daily Digest

SUNDAY, 16 AUGUST 2026 · MORNING EDITION

The Daily Digest

Iraqi authorities seized about $20 million and 60 kilograms of gold in a case tied to a deputy oil minister, with another account putting the cash at $20.3 million. A separate raid took nearly $7 million from the home of an electricity ministry undersecretary; one report put that haul at $6.7 million. Iraqi News said the electricity case ran to millions.

The Baghdad parallel rate stood at 153,850 IQD per 100 USD, up 0.5 percent, and Erbil at 153,750; press reports said dollar rates climbed in both cities. The telecom minister said dinar redenomination had been finalized, drawing criticism, as coverage asked whether Iraq would drop zeros from the currency.

Iraq ordered faster delivery of advanced air-defense systems as it sped up modernization. Baghdad reshuffled senior Federal Police command posts, and the security reshuffle reached Green Zone command. Graduates clashed with security forces outside the Baghdad Health Ministry.

Kirkuk farmers said Topzawa lands face confiscation. Separately, Masoud Barzani was reported to have brokered a secret US–IRGC diplomatic channel.

Iraqi trucks completed a first international overland run to Turkmenistan. Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani al-Zaidi urged Italian firms to invest in energy and industry, and the national security adviser made a similar pitch to Japanese firms. A Shafaq scoop said Iraq was in talks with Washington and Tehran over Hormuz oil shipments.

Muhammad al-Baldawi (AAH — Sadiqoun bloc) on Al-Ahad TV (AAH — official) pressed the Foreign Ministry over the Luqman al-Faily reappointment and an adviser’s pay, as set out in today’s militia digest; the ministry has not replied.

THINGS TO WATCH
Cabinet or CBI posts a redenomination decree or timetablemedium likelihoodhigh impactThe telecom minister said redenomination was finalized and drew criticism, so a named state instrument would settle whether the claim stands.
Named US or Iranian official confirms Hormuz oil-shipment talkslow likelihoodhigh impactA single Shafaq scoop asserted Iraq was in talks with both capitals; an on-record confirmation would lock the story.
Kirkuk authority issues a written order on Topzawa landmedium likelihoodmedium impactFarmers said the lands face confiscation; a posted decree or court filing would show whether the threat is administrative.
Defense ministry names an air-defense system and delivery datemedium likelihoodmedium impactKurdistan24 reported orders to speed advanced systems; a contract or arrival notice would turn the claim into a schedule.
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