WIRE
RUDAWIraq exported 418M barrels of oil worth $28B in 20265HTHE NEW REGIONSeptember 30: A new chapter for Iraq, but not necessarily a good one5HIRAQI NEWSIraq to allocate $15 billion for delayed projects7HKURDISTAN24US State Department Tells Kurdistan24 of Staffing Adjustments at Iraq Mission7HASHARQ AL-AWSATIraq’s Ruling Coalition Discusses Arrests of Armed Faction Members8HBLOOMBERGSatellite Image Shows Surge in Iraq’s Persian Gulf Oil Loadings8HREUTERSIraq may show how U.S. can squeeze Iran's trade partners10HRUDAWIraq’s top judge visits Tehran as Iran faces new US economic pressure10HIRAQI NEWSUS dollar exchange rate slightly falls against Iraqi dinar10HIRAQI NEWSIraq, Germany discuss international coalition withdrawal10HIRAQI NEWSIraq continues to be South Korea’s fourth-largest oil supplier12HIRAQI NEWSU.S. prepares to return diplomats to Iraq and Middle East12HIRAQI NEWSIraq discusses launching direct flights to Austria13HKIRKUK NOWDiesel Crisis Hits Kirkuk as Generator Owners Threaten Shutdowns13HIRAQI NEWSIraqi security recovers rare antiquities14HAPGraham Arnold extends Iraq coaching deal through 2027 Asian Cup after World Cup return17H
Iraq Monitorعين على العراقPrimary-source intelligence
THE BRIEFING · A PERMANENT EDITION

Tuesday, 25 August 2026

MORNING EDITION

The Daily Digest

On August 25, Baghdad insisted that weapons remain under state control, amid reported disputes over the deadline and mechanism for disarming Iraqi factions. Reports the previous day said Iran was pressing Iraq not to disarm armed groups, while an Iraqi government spokesperson said Baghdad was ready to manage national security after US forces leave. Iraq was also coordinating with Germany and Russia before the US-led coalition’s September 30 withdrawal. Separately, today’s Militia Digest details calls on Al-Ahad TV (Asaib Ahl al-Haq — official) for parliament to question PMF Commission chairman Faleh al-Fayyad, without formal endorsement from AAH leadership or its Sadiqoun political wing.

On the economy, Iraq plans to raise crude exports through Turkey’s Ceyhan terminal to 750,000 bpd. The planned increase would expand Iraq’s northern export route as Baghdad separately tests loading options inside the Strait of Hormuz.

A report said Iraq would introduce new banknotes with three zeros removed. Separately, Iraq’s foreign reserves stood at $86.17 billion in June after falling by 11.6%.

In football, Iraq national-team coach Graham Arnold accepted a six-month contract extension. A second report said he rejected a four-year agreement.

THINGS TO WATCH
Iraq publishes specifications for redenominated banknotesmedium likelihoodhigh impactThe reported plan to remove three zeros from new banknotes would require official specifications or an issuance notice to become operationally verifiable.
SOMO records a Basrah crude loading inside the Strait of Hormuzmedium likelihoodhigh impactIraq has tested renewed Basrah crude sales for loading inside the strait, making a recorded cargo the next observable confirmation.

The Militia Digest

A guest on Al-Ahad TV (AAH — official) called for parliament to question PMF Commission chairman Faleh al-Fayyad over the reported Saudi strike on PMF headquarters, potentially leading to dismissal. He asked why the headquarters had not been evacuated. The demand followed four Al-Ahad segments challenging Fayyad’s tenure, dual role and absence from parliament, although the speakers differed over whether to emphasize governance or parliamentary oversight.

FAA (Ansar Allah al-Awfiya — official) promoted a lawmaker’s account of committee work on amendments to Labor Law No. 37 of 2015. It said the proposal had completed its first reading and that dialogue with state bodies would continue, but no parliamentary record separately confirmed that stage.

On the weapons file, press reports described disagreements over the deadline and mechanism for faction disarmament, while the government maintained that weapons must be restricted to the state. Sources also said Iran was pressing Iraq against disarming armed groups.

Al-Kornet al-Kata'ibi (KSS — affiliated) blamed poor PMF management, leadership and media performance after an Egyptian media personality described the PMF as terrorist forces. The channel defended the PMF but said internal weakness had damaged its image and performance; no KSS leader issued the criticism.

Al-Janoub TV (Harakat al-Jihad wal-Bina — official) contrasted the al-Zaydi government’s reform promises with stalled procedures after more than 100 days in office.

On parliament, Al-Ahad promoted Sadiqoun efforts to restore and pass the PMF law under First Deputy Speaker Adnan Fayhan, who is an AAH commander. A guest alleged that the government withdrew the measure for political aims, while the channel separately said AAH's Sadiqoun was intensifying passage efforts. Neither item supplied a parliamentary timetable.

THINGS TO WATCH
Parliament summons Faleh al-Fayyadmedium likelihoodhigh impactA summons, questioning motion or dismissal procedure would show whether the Al-Ahad demand moved beyond guest commentary.
Government publishes a faction-disarmament instrumentmedium likelihoodhigh impactA deadline, legal instrument, named faction position or documented deployment would clarify the reported dispute over timing and enforcement.
Parliament records the labor-law amendment stagemedium likelihoodmedium impactA committee record or parliamentary notice would independently establish whether the amendment completed its first reading.
Parliament schedules the PMF lawmedium likelihoodhigh impactA published timetable or bill text would substantiate Al-Ahad’s report that Sadiqoun is intensifying passage efforts.
EVERY CLAIM SOURCE-LINKED · EVERY SIGNAL → THE ARCHIVEALL EDITIONS →
The Briefing — Tuesday, 25 August 2026, morning edition · Iraq Monitor