WIRE
KURDISTAN24Iraq PM Says Coalition Forces to Withdraw From Iraq on Sept. 303HKURDISTAN24Safeen Dizayee: Iraq Must Punish Groups Attacking Kurdistan Region4HKURDISTAN24Senior PMF Official, Three Members Arrested in Baghdad4HKURDISTAN24Al-Araji: Decision for War and Peace Belongs Solely to Iraqi State4HKURDISTAN24Iran Presses Iraq Against Disarming Armed Groups, Sources Say4H964 MEDIAGraham Arnold signs short term Iraq extension, turning down four-year deal5HIRAQI NEWSIraq, Qatar provide oil for loading inside Hormuz via bids5HRUDAWIraq coordinates with Germany, Russia ahead of US coalition withdrawal5HREUTERSIraq's Australian coach Arnold renews contract for six months5HIRAQI NEWSIraq to introduce new banknotes with three zeros removed6HRUDAWBaghdad ready to handle national security after US departure: Spox7HIRAQI NEWSIraq to raise oil exports via Turkey’s Ceyhan to 750,000 bpd8HIRAQI NEWSIraq suggests a security council involving Iran, Saudi Arabia10HTHE NEW REGIONIraq to slash three zeros from currency, introduce new notes10HIRAQI NEWSIraq foreign reserves decline 11.6% to $86.17B in June 202611HIRAQI NEWSSamarra Drug Company starts first domestic Moxifloxacin Antibiotic output11H
Iraq Monitorعين على العراقPrimary-source intelligence
THE BRIEFING · AN INDEPENDENT DIGEST

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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