Monday, 24 August 2026

The Central Bank of Iraq reported that regional tensions had cost the country more than $30 billion in reserves, while Baghdad said it was exploring greater flexibility with Iran for Iraqi oil exports through Hormuz by Monday. Iraq’s State Organization for Marketing of Oil and QatarEnergy also offered crude through tenders for loading inside the strait. Iraq said its oil production had recovered to more than 3 million barrels per day.

On the security file, Iraqi authorities reportedly arrested four Popular Mobilization Forces personnel in Baghdad on August 24, drawing faction opposition and disputed accounts detailed in the Militia Digest; no security body acknowledged custody in those accounts. Iraqi officials said decisions of war and peace belong solely to the state and described gradual disarmament through dialogue with factions, while a lawmaker pressed for passage of the PMF law and Iraq’s prime minister fixed September 30 for the US-led coalition’s withdrawal.

On regional diplomacy, Baghdad proposed a joint security council between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The Kurdistan Regional Government separately opened a trade-licensing office at a crossing with Iran, as reporting described intensifying regional pressure on Iraq’s prime minister.

Press reports described the arrest of four PMF personnel in Baghdad on August 24, including a senior figure identified as Abu Jaafar. Al-Kornet al-Kata'ibi (KSS — affiliated) instead called the detention of the four personnel an abduction east of Baghdad. Al-Ahad TV (AAH — official) and Al-Ghadeer TV (Badr Organization — official) relayed a Counter-Terrorism Service denial that it had arrested a PMF staff member, without addressing the other three. KH-, Nujaba- and Ashab al-Kahf-linked channels joined KSS media in opposing the state action, but varied over how many people were taken; no security body acknowledged custody in those accounts.

In the intra-militia space, a Sadiqoun figure said parliament could withdraw confidence from PMF chairman Falih al-Fayadh and that he would face a military trial. He denied that Sadiqoun seeks the chairmanship, while other Al-Ahad guests challenged Fayadh's tenure and performance. The channel concentrated four challenges to Fayadh, but carried no formal AAH or Sadiqoun removal decision.

In Erbil, media linked to five factions reported that armed Herki tribesmen blocked roads and mobilized against Peshmerga or Barzani forces. Sabereen News (KH — affiliated) and Al-Kornet al-Kata'ibi later reported armed clashes, while only the KSS channel tied the fighting to a tribal leader's arrest. None of the channels claimed militia command or participation, and press reports did not independently establish the confrontation's scale or location.

Al-Ittijah TV (KH — official) led six faction-linked outlets in accusing riot-control forces of using violence against graduate protesters in Baghdad. Images showed police confronting protesters and restraining at least one civilian, but did not establish every reported injury or whether the force was excessive. Al-Ittijah also said officers obstructed its live broadcast; no government account accompanied the channels' allegations.

Badr and Nujaba outlets kept their coverage of oil-sector protests on proposed salary deductions, while KH-linked outlets connected the demonstrations to alleged state pursuit of PMF fighters and division within the security forces. Sabereen News later alleged beatings and violence without naming a perpetrator; images showed protesters confronting shield-bearing officers but did not clearly show anyone being struck.

Looking across the networks, the desk counted 13 of 34 watched channels across six networks surging on Iran since August 10. Thirteen channels across five networks also surged on the United States, while 12 across five networks surged on the Strait of Hormuz and Israel. These are absolute counts against baselines that are still forming.