The Daily Digest

Sabereen News (KH — affiliated), Unit 10,000 (KH — affiliated) and Al-Kornet al-Kata'ibi (KSS — affiliated) called supporters to assemble at 17:00 on August 24 and march toward the Republican Palace, to protest against Tom Barrack's moves, while FAA (Ansar Allah al-Awfiya — official) promoted the same route as peaceful. As the Militia Digest details, its assessment had established no turnout, weapons or confrontation. New reporting said Iran was pressing Baghdad not to disarm armed groups, cutting against Baghdad’s gradual-disarmament dialogue with factions and its assertion that decisions of war and peace belong solely to the Iraqi state. The Kurdistan Regional Government’s foreign-relations spokesman separately demanded that Iraq punish groups attacking the Kurdistan Region.

On the security file, Baghdad said it was ready to assume national security duties after the US-led coalition’s scheduled withdrawal on September 30. Iraq also coordinated withdrawal preparations with Germany and Russia, extending the post-coalition framework beyond its proposed regional security council involving Iran and Saudi Arabia.

On the economy, Iraq said it would raise oil exports through Turkey’s Ceyhan terminal to 750,000 barrels per day. Separately, Iraq’s foreign reserves stood at $86.17 billion after declining in June, and authorities prepared new banknotes with three zeros removed.

On the economy, Iraq national football coach Graham Arnold renewed his contract for six months. He reportedly rejected a four-year agreement, retaining short-term continuity without accepting the longer commitment.

THINGS TO WATCH

Iran or Saudi Arabia issues a formal response to Baghdad’s security-council proposalmedium likelihoodmedium impactBaghdad’s proposal requires both regional states’ participation, making an official acceptance, rejection or negotiating response the next observable step.

Iraq publishes a Ceyhan export figure of 750,000 barrels per daymedium likelihoodhigh impactBaghdad announced that specific export level, which a government or terminal flow report can confirm or leave unmet.

Authorities publish a design or issue date for the redenominated banknotesmedium likelihoodhigh impactThe announced removal of three zeros would become operationally testable once authorities identify the notes or set an issuance timetable.

Baghdad names an investigation or enforcement action over attacks on the Kurdistan Regionlow likelihoodhigh impactThe Kurdish government spokesman’s demand creates a test of whether federal authorities identify a case, arrest, charge or formal refusal.