Shafaq News- Diyala

Diyala Provincial Council revealed on Tuesday a"large-scale manipulation" involving five representatives of woundedsecurity personnel, families of martyrs, and people with disabilities in a landallocation program.

Turki Al-Atbi, head of the council's Integrity Committee,said at a press conference that the alleged scheme involved the submission of adocument allocating 760 residential plots to wounded members of the securityforces. Names were added to official records in exchange for money, whileentitlement vouchers belonging to beneficiaries in need were purchased foramounts not exceeding three million Iraqi dinars ($2,290). The plots were thentransferred to others, despite each being worth more than 60 million dinars(approximately $45,800).

Al-Atbi said the council had launched an audit to ensureland reaches legitimate beneficiaries based on eligibility and priority ratherthan pressure or public demonstrations.

Provincial Council Chairman Omar Al-Karawi described thecouncil's role as supervisory, accusing "influential groups andmafias" of moving to obstruct oversight whenever investigations areopened, allowing corruption to expand and serve vested interests.

The disclosures followed protests earlier this week bywounded Iraqi security personnel near the Baqubah Municipality Directorate,where demonstrators demanded distribution of residential plots they say theyare entitled to.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq'sparliament is set to open its second legislative term on July 1, with thespeaker's office expected to schedule a cabinet confirmation vote in the samemonth.

Duhaal-Sadkhan, a lawmaker with the National Approach bloc (Al-Nahj Al-Watani),told Shafaq News on Tuesday that the agenda will include first and secondreadings of pending legislation, as well as votes on bills that have alreadycleared the discussion stage. A session to complete the cabinet confirmationvote is expected to be scheduled in the second or third week of July.

Read more: Iraq's parliament adjourns with reform agenda intact and cabinet still incomplete

Shafaq News- Baghdad

An Iraqi court has sentenced YazanMishaan al-Jubouri, secretary-general of the Homeland (al-Watan) Party, to fiveyears of severe imprisonment for fraud and deception, the Federal IntegrityCommission announced on Tuesday.

According to the commission, theCentral Anti-Corruption Criminal Court issued the verdict under Article 456 ofthe Penal Code after finding that al-Jubouri had falsely claimed to be anadviser to the prime minister and promised to arrange a meeting with him andsecure favors for a complainant.

He reportedly used a fugitivesuspect who served as the authorized manager of one of the complainant'scompanies to withdraw 41 billion Iraqi dinars (about $26.1M) and hand over thefunds through fraudulent means.

Al-Jubouri was arrested in February2026 during a raid on his home under a warrant issued by an investigative judgeat the Baghdad Al-Karkh Court, according to his father, politician Mishaanal-Jubouri. Earlier court documents accused him of impersonating a publicofficial and exercising official duties without legal authority for financialgain.

Shafaq News-Tehran

Iranian ForeignMinister Abbas Araghchi is scheduled to visit Baghdad on Sunday, with the tripexpected to cover briefings on the Switzerland talks and preparations for thefuneral processions of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, al-Mayadeen TV said.

No officialdetails have been confirmed by either the Iraqi or Iranian side regarding theagenda or any additional files the meeting may address.

A source closeto the Iranian embassy in Baghdad told Shafaq News earlier that the body of theSupreme Leader Ayatollah is scheduled to arrive at Najaf International Airporton July 8 for funeral processions in the Iraqi holy city, before the burialconcludes on July 9 at the shrine of Imam Reza in the Iranian city of Mashhad.

Read more: Iraq stands to gain most from US-Iran deal, analysts warn of fragile foundations

Shafaq News- Washington

Iranian funds will remain frozen until clear progress isachieved in negotiations, US Vice President JD Vance noted on Monday,underscoring Washington’s cautious stance despite earlier diplomatic momentum.

In a press conference, Vance underlined that the UnitedStates has requested Qatar to help design a mechanism to track and regulate theuse of Iranian funds, stressing that US decisions will depend on Tehran’sactions rather than its statements.

US-Iran talks concluded in Switzerland on Sunday, with bothsides agreeing to establish a high-level committee to oversee the mediationprocess and form working groups focused on sanctions, monitoring mechanisms,dispute resolution, and the nuclear file, targeting a final agreement withintwo months. The framework also includes a direct communication channel intendedto prevent incidents and ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz,along with a separate mechanism to address disputes related to Lebanon.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and Turkish PresidentRecep Tayyip Erdogan discussed water management, crude oil exports through theKirkuk–Ceyhan pipeline, and the Development Road project during a phone call onMonday.

The exchange focused on ways to improve Iraq’s oil exportflows, including shipments bound for European markets through existing pipelineinfrastructure. Both sides stressed continued coordination to narrowdifferences and advance shared understandings on resource management, withwater security also part of the talks.

Turning to cooperation in natural gas and agriculture,Baghdad and Ankara explored potential agreements to expand economic ties. Thediscussion then shifted to the Development Road project, viewed by bothofficials as a strategic corridor expected to strengthen regional trade linksand deepen economic integration.

Erdogan extended an invitation for al-Zaidi to visit Ankaraat the end of July for further talks on bilateral relations and ongoingprojects. The Prime Minister, in turn, welcomed Turkish companies to expandinvestment activities in Iraq, citing opportunities across multiple sectors andthe role of the private sector in supporting economic growth.

Read more: Oil for Water: Iraq bets on new Turkiye deal to ease drought crisis

Shafaq News- Al-Diwaniyah

Iraq's Electricity Minister Ali Saadi has dismissed the headof the Al-Diwaniyah Electricity Distribution Branch, Muslim Khudair Bari,replacing him with Salam Aref Karim, previously head of the branch's subscriberaffairs department, according to an official ministry order.

The change is the latest in a wave of personnel decisionsreshaping the electricity sector following the arrest of Alaa Samir Rashedal-Jubouri, director general of the Central Electricity Distribution Company,on corruption charges. Al-Jubouri, also a senior figure in the Taqadum party,was detained by the Federal Commission of Integrity on Saturday over allegedcorruption and misuse of public funds; an anti-corruption court subsequentlyordered all his movable and immovable assets frozen.

On the same day as al-Jubouri's detention, Minister Saadimoved to remove two of his deputies. Alaa Abdel-Hussein Abd Imran was relievedon the grounds that his professional classification as a petroleum engineer wasincompatible with the administrative post he held, with Haider Mohammed Jawadnamed as his replacement. Tariq Ibrahim Khalil, deputy director general fordistribution affairs, was also removed; Ahmed Khalaf Abdullah was assigned inhis place.

Read more: 40-GW electricity gap forces Iraq to back private generators

Earlier in the week, the ministry dismissed the head of theAl-Karkh electricity sector alongside three officials in Abu Ghraib, while theFinance Ministry terminated the contracts of two employees and transferred anadditional 70 Baghdad staff for negligence. On June 2, the Integrity Commissiondetained four senior electricity officials over an alleged 1.744 billion-dinar($1.33 million) scheme involving stolen electrical equipment in Diyalaprovince.

A government source told Shafaq News that further changes atthe Central Electricity Distribution Company are expected within hours or days.

Read more: What does Iraq's new government promise? A guide to Ali Al-Zaidi's ministerial program

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq appointed Nizar Nasser Hussein as governor of the Central Bank(CBI), replacing Ali Mohsen al-Alaq, the Prime Minister’s Media Office reportedon Sunday.

The appointment ceremony took place under the supervision of PrimeMinister Ali al-Zaidi, who underscored the importance of advancing banking reformprograms and modernizing the country’s financial sector, in line withinternational standards governing monetary and fiscal policy implementation.

Al-Zaidi also commended al-Alaq for his efforts throughout his tenure,naming him as his Adviser on Economic Affairs.

Shafaq News-Kirkuk

The head of theChaldean Catholic Church in Iraq and the world, Patriarch Mar Paul III Nona,said Sunday he has no clear picture of Christian representation in the currentIraqi government, adding that the coming period would bring greater clarity onthe matter.

"Until nowI do not have a complete idea about this subject, and in the coming period wewill get to know it more clearly," Nona told Shafaq News during a visit toliberated areas in northern Iraq, without elaborating further.

Iraq'sgovernment formation remains incomplete following parliamentary elections inNovember 2025. In May 2026, the parliament approved 14 ministers of Alial-Zaidi’s cabinet, while nine portfolios remain vacant.

Onreconstruction, Nona said liberated areas, particularly Mosul and the NinevehPlains, where Christian communities bore some of the heaviest losses duringISIS's 2014 takeover, have shown notable progress. The focus, he added, extendsbeyond physical infrastructure to rebuilding communities "on soundfoundations based on respect for human dignity, cooperation, andcoexistence."

Fewer than300,000 Christians remain in Iraq today, down from more than 1.5 million in2003, following decades of conflict and displacement. Nona expressed hope thatstability would allow families to return, describing the next phase as one that"should witness a reverse migration and the return of families to theiroriginal areas inside Iraq."

Read more: Christians of Iraq: Where did they go?

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq will complete its new cabinet in early July, ahead ofPrime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s scheduled trip to the United States, GovernmentSpokesman Haidar Al-Aboudi noted on Sunday.

During a press briefing, Al-Aboudi indicated that the visitfollows an invitation from US President Donald Trump and will includediscussions on political, security, and economic files of mutual interest. Headded that the Prime Minister will not take part in the upcoming elections andwill not establish any political party.

On May 14, the Iraqi parliament approved Al-Zaidi’sgovernment and ministerial program, granting confidence to 14 ministers out of23, while nine ministries remain vacant due to disputes over candidates andpolitical quotas, including the Interior, Defense, Higher Education, andPlanning ministries.

Read more: Iraq PM al-Zaidi to Washington with energy deals front, “militia file” unresolved

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq's government on Saturday approved freediesel supplies for private generator owners during July and August to improveelectricity availability during the summer peak season.

According to the PM Ali Al-Zaidi’s office,private generators will receive 45 liters of diesel free of charge for every 1KVA of capacity, provided that electricity supply to residents does not fallbelow 20 hours per day. The decision also requires private units to provideelectricity for 12 hours daily in coordination with the national grid.

The cabinet also authorized provincialgovernments to set fair pricing for amperes supplied by private operators,while the High Commission for Coordination among Provinces will establishmonitoring mechanisms in coordination with the Ministry of Electricity and theNational Security Service.

Al-Zaidi called for improvedelectricity services, greater grid stability, and measures to protect theTigris River from pollution.

ترأس رئيس مجلس الوزراء السيد علي فالح الزيدي، مساء أمسِ السبت، الجلسة الاعتيادية السابعة لمجلس الوزراء، جرت فيها مناقشة تطورات الأوضاع في البلاد، واستعراض الموضوعات المدرجة على جدول الأعمال واتخاذ القرارات اللازمة بشأنها.وفي مستهلّ الجلسة، شدد السيد رئيس مجلس الوزراء على… pic.twitter.com/EHtaDLuPBP

— المكتب الإعلامي لرئيس الوزراء 🇮🇶 (@IraqiPMO) June 20, 2026

Iraq faces a severe electricity shortage each summer asdemand exceeds 60,000 megawatts while available generation falls short bynearly 40,000 MW. The crisis has been compounded by fuel and gas shortages,aging transmission and distribution networks, and heavy reliance on importedgas to operate power plants.

Read more: 40-GW electricity gap forces Iraq to back private generators

ShafaqNews- Baghdad

IraqiPrime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi has appointed Qasim Al-Araji as his specialsecurity adviser, two days after Qasim Al-Aboudi replaced him in the positionof national security adviser.

Thehandover ceremony took place at the National Security Advisory office under thesupervision of the Prime Minister, who praised Al-Araji’s professionalperformance and underlined the importance of following up on strategic securityfiles and special programs aimed at strengthening Iraq’s independentdecision-making and sovereignty.

Read more: PM Al-Zaidi targets major overhaul of Iraqi institutions

Earlierthis week, Al-Zaidi also approved changes at the Iraqi National SecurityService, appointing Basim Al-Badri as the agency’s new chief in place of AbdulKarim Al-Basri.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

The Reconstruction and Development Coalition (RDC), led byMohammed Shia al-Sudani, denied on Saturday claims that al-Susani’s governmenthad granted loans to African countries, saying the loans referenced by a memberof parliament date back to the 1970s and 1980s.

In a statement, the coalition described remarks by lawmaker Mohammedal-Shammari as misleading, arguing that the loans were issued under Iraq'sformer regime.

“The former regime provided oil shipments and loans toseveral Arab, African, and Asian countries for political purposes,” thecoalition clarified, adding that lending increased with the outbreak of Iraq'swars in the early 1980s.

Iraq signed two loan agreements with Tanzania on December19, 1979, and February 9, 1980, with a combined value of approximately $187million. It also signed a loan agreement with Uganda on March 7, 1981, worthnearly $15 million, and another with the Central African Republic on November19, 1984, valued at about $7 million.

The coalition said the figures have been updated through theend of 2024 and are reviewed annually based on the original loan amounts,accrued interest, administrative costs, and penalties resulting fromnon-payment.

A specialized committee comprising relevant governmentinstitutions is responsible for negotiating settlements, while any proposedsettlement agreements must be submitted to the Council of Ministers forapproval, the coalition explained.

Stressing that throughout al-Sudani's tenure, the Council ofMinisters has not approved any reduction or settlement of sovereign loans, the RDCsaid that instead, it has directed the Ministry of Finance, the Iraqi Fund forExternal Development, and the relevant committee to continue pursuing the debtsin accordance with applicable legal procedures.

Shafaq News-Baghdad

Iraqi PrimeMinister Ali Al-Zaidi is preparing a broad reshuffle that could affect morethan 100 senior officials across state institutions, with changes expected toinclude deputy ministers, agency heads, directors-general, and senior securityofficials.

Sourcesfamiliar with the matter told Shafaq News that a team appointed by Al-Zaidi isconducting a “comprehensive review” of government institutions, assessing theperformance of senior officials and evaluating several administrative files.The review also examines the political and organizational affiliations of someofficials, amid discussions about removing figures found to have neglectedtheir duties or maintained links to armed factions.

Al-Zaidi hasalready introduced changes in key security and economic institutions, includingthe Iraqi National Security Service and the Central Bank (CBI). The plannedreshuffle comes as the prime minister works to complete his cabinet formationand ahead of his expected visit to Washington, where he is due to meet USPresident Donald Trump.

Politicalsources told Shafaq News that US envoy Tom Barrack discussed a range of issueswith Al-Zaidi during his recent visit to Baghdad, including the management ofsovereign institutions and efforts to strengthen the independence of governmentdecision-making.

According tothe sources, the discussions coincided with the decision to abolish the postsof deputy prime ministers and shelve plans for a proposed Federal SecurityMinistry that would have brought together several security formations,including the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a predominantly Shiiteumbrella formation integrated into Iraq’s state security structure in 2016, andarmed groups.

Negotiationswithin the ruling Shiite Coordination Framework over the security ministriesand other disputed portfolios remain ongoing, with Al-Zaidi seeking to appoint“technocratic figures,” according to the sources.

The Frameworkmeeting has been postponed until after the tenth day of Muharram*, as politicalparties await further clarity on the cabinet lineup and the scope of theexpected changes.

*The firstmonth of the Islamic lunar year. For many Muslims, particularly Shiitecommunities in Iraq, it commemorates the martyrdom of the third Imam Husseinibn Ali, Prophet Mohammed’s grandson, at the Battle of Karbala.

Read more: Iraq PM al-Zaidi to Washington with energy deals front, “militia file” unresolved

Shafaq News- Washington

Iraq has accepted to work with an international financialmonitoring body to address deficiencies in combating money laundering,corruption, and terrorism financing, a US administration official told ShafaqNews on Friday, adding that Baghdad has already begun taking positive steps inthat direction.

In a written statement obtained exclusively by Shafaq Newsthrough the US Embassy in Baghdad, the official said after almost a two-year processto review Iraq’s anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorismregime, “Iraq has agreed to cooperatively work with the FATF to address itsmost strategic AML/CFT deficiencies.”

The official noted that Iraq has already begun takingpositive steps, and demonstrating political will to abide by FATF internationalstandards. “We encourage Iraq to continue this positive momentum and quicklyaddress its FATF action plan.” 

Iraq made a “high-level political commitment” in June to work with FATF and the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force to strengthen its financial crime controls. Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi has also made economic reform, foreign investment, and anti-corruption central pillars of his program since taking office in May.

Read more: A guide to Ali Al-Zaidi's ministerial program

Shafaq News-Baghdad

Iraqi PrimeMinister Ali al-Zaydi dismissed Sami al-Sudani from his post as adviser forborder ports and customs affairs on Friday, replacing him with Hassan al-Akeili,an informed source told Shafaq News on Thursday.

Thereshuffle extends a wave of senior appointments al-Zaydi issued this week,including appointing Adel al-Yasiri as the head of the Investment Commission,replacing Haidar Makia.

Al-Zaydialso assigned Qassem al-Aboudi to serve as acting national security adviser,succeeding Qassem al-Aaraji, and tasked Bassem al-Badri with leading theNational Intelligence Service in place of Abdul Karim al-Basri, according tothe same source.

Governor Alial-Allaq was also removed from his post, with Nizar Nasser appointed in hisplace.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq's Electricity Ministry dismissed the head of theAl-Karkh Electricity Sector and three officials in Abu Ghraib, while theFinance Ministry terminated the contracts of two employees, according toofficial documents obtained by Shafaq News on Thursday.

The ministry replaced Haider Mohammed Jassim with OmarHikmat Dhiab Hassan at the Al-Karkh Electricity Sector and transferred 70employees in Baghdad, citing “negligence in performing public duties.”

In Abu Ghraib, Omar Abdul Sattar Hamid took over theElectricity Sector from Bassam Zayir Salman. Aziz Nasr Ibrahim was named deputydirector in place of Ali Khaled Naifis, while Hudhaifa Fadel Ayed assumedresponsibility for maintenance operations in the Al-Shuhada area instead ofThaer Hassan Shahadha.

The Finance Ministry also terminated the contracts ofSalah Al-Din Hamed from the minister's office and Brin Abdul Salam from theIraqi Fund for External Development.

The moves come amid broader changes across Iraq'sstate institutions. Well-informed sources told Shafaq News that Prime MinisterAli Al-Zaidi appointed Adel Al-Yasiri chairman of the National InvestmentCommission, Sheikh Muzahim Al-Kanaan adviser for political affairs to thePresident of the Republic, Qasim Al-Aboudi national security adviser, and BasimAl-Badri head of the Iraqi National Security Service.

At the Central Bank of Iraq, Al-Zaidi also replaced governor Ali Al-Allaq with Nizar Nasser, who previously headed the bank's Anti-MoneyLaundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Office.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi ordered a broadreshuffle of senior state positions, changing the leadership of the CentralBank of Iraq (CBI) and the National Investment Commission, a political sourcefamiliar with the matter told Shafaq News on Thursday.

Al-Zaidi appointed Nizar Nasser, who previously headedthe bank’s Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Office, as CBIgovernor, replacing Ali Al-Allaq. He also named Adel Al-Yasiri chairman of theNational Investment Commission in place of Haider Makkiya.

The changes, the source said, extended to thepresidency, where Sheikh Muzahim Al-Kanaan became adviser for politicalaffairs.

Earlier today, Al-Zaidi named Qasim Al-Aboudi nationalsecurity adviser and appointed Basim Al-Badri head of the Iraqi NationalSecurity Service.

No official explanation has yet been issued regardingthe reasons behind the reshuffle.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq's Coordination Framework (CF), parliament’s largestbloc, has “indirectly” supported Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi to choosecandidates for several disputed cabinet posts, during a meeting between the PMand CF leaders, a source told Shafaq News on Thursday.

Al-Zaidi and his team will begin reviewing candidates' CVsand assessing a list of names that are not affiliated with political factionsto head the ministries of Defense, Interior, HigherEducation, and Planning. The source noted that participants agreedto create a Ministry of Tourism as part of a political compromise. The postwould be allocated either to the Al-Nahj National Alliance, led by AbdulHussein Al-Moussawi, or the Services (Khadamat),led by Shibl al-Zaidi, depending on which holds a larger number ofparliamentary seats.

The meeting stressed the importance of supporting thegovernment's efforts to dismantle factional weapons through a specificmechanism and within a defined timeframe. Participants also discussed USproposals to equip Iraq with an expanded security arsenal, including radarsystems to protect Iraqi airspace as well as advanced weapons and militaryequipment. “If all political forces approve theproposals, Al-Zaidi's planned visit to Washington would carry significantimportance.”

Read more: 40-GW electricity gap forces Iraq to back private generators

According to the source, a high-level committee comprisingministers and experts will be formed to study the proposed partnerships andinvestment projects presented by the US envoy Tom Barrack. The committee willprepare a guarantees framework to secure benefits for Iraq and helpaddress financial, environmental, and energy-related challenges.

Read more: Iraq to place armed factions' weapons under state control

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi appointed Qasim Al-Aboudi as the country's new national security adviser, replacing Qasim Al-Araji, a source familiar with the matter told Shafaq News on Thursday.

Al-Zaidi also approved changes at the Iraqi National Security Service, appointing Basim Al-Badri as the agency's new chief in place of Abdul Karim Al-Basri.

No further details were immediately available regarding the reasons behind the appointments or the timing of the leadership changes.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) reinstatedAli Jakhifa Lafta al-Shammari as commander of Samarra Operations, overturningan earlier decision to appoint Youssef Mizan Naseef Ragheef of Asaib Ahlal-Haq, a well-informed source told Shafaq News on Thursday.

Ragheef will remain commander of the 36th Brigade,while al-Shammari will oversee the disengagement and reorganization of brigadesaffiliated with Saraya al-Salam, the armed wing of the Patriotic ShiiteMovement (PSM/Sadrist) led by Muqtada al-Sadr.

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, the source said, orderedthe move to preserve security stability and prevent tensions in the area.

Faleh al-Fayyadh, head of the PMF —a predominantlyShiite umbrella formation integrated into Iraq’s state security structure in2016— had previously appointed al-Shammari as an adviser to the GeneralDirectorate of Operations and tasked him with supervising the 313th, 314th, and315th brigades operating under Samarra Operations.

The earlier decision sparked tensions in Samarra, whichprompted Saraya al-Salam to deploy members at several locations across the city,maintaining that its presence would continue until security duties are fullytransferred to state forces, although its leader, Muqtada al-Sadr, laterinstructed members to comply with the PMF's decision.

Longstanding rivalry persisted between Saraya al-Salamand Asaib Ahl al-Haq, whose leader, Qais al-Khazali, broke away from al-Sadr'smovement and the Mahdi Army before founding the group. Their competition hasperiodically escalated into political disputes and armed clashes in severalsouthern provinces, including Basra and Maysan.

Last month, al-Sadr and al-Khazali agreed on a roadmapto disengage their armed factions and encourage members to join officialinstitutions as part of broader efforts to place weapons exclusively understate control, a key pillar of al-Zaidi's government program.

Read more: Iraq to place armed factions' weapons under state control

Shafaq News- Baghdad

A Baghdad court on Thursday sentenced Iraqi politician Mishaan Al-Jubouri in absentia to one year in prison in a case filed by former Parliament Speaker and Taqadum Party leader Mohammed Al-Halbousi.

Al-Jubouri said that Al-Halbousi had "threatened, intimidated, and insulted his political opponents without being held accountable."

اصدرت اليوم محكمة جنايات الكرخ حكماً غيابياً بحبسي سنة واحدة بسبب عبارة قلتها مخاطباً الحلبوسي: "المطلوب لنا ما ينام الليل"الحلبوسي هدّد وتوعّد وشتم خصومه السياسيين ولم يُحاسبكما لم يُحاكم من يطعن بالمقدسات ولا من غيّب الآلاف ولا من يهدد الدولة ويقصف البعثات والمنشآت الرسمية. pic.twitter.com/HC80367OOI

— مشعان الجبوري (@mashanaljabouri) June 18, 2026

He also accused Iraqi authorities of failing to prosecute those who "insult religious sanctities, forcibly disappeared thousands of people, threatened the state, and attacked diplomatic missions and official institutions."

Al-Halbousi's media office is yet to comment regarding the allegations.

The legal dispute dates back to late 2023, when Al-Halbousi filed a complaint against Al-Jubouri, accusing him of insulting a "symbol of the democratic system."

 Shafaq News- Babil

The family of an al-Qaeda leaderfrom Babil province has been receiving a pension through Iraq's MartyrsFoundation for the past 15 years, an Iraqi lawmaker claimed on Thursday.

Haider Mohammed Kazem al-Mutairi of the Ishraqat Kanoon bloc published documents that, according to him, show the individual was registeredas a "martyr," and identify four other individuals from the sameprovince accused of terrorism whose decisions were later revoked. A reviewcommittee within the Martyrs Foundation continues to examine the file.

In 2024, a Babil lawmaker toldShafaq News that five terrorists in the province were receiving pensionsthrough the foundation. In 2021, the commander of al-Anbar Operations Commandstated that more than 800 terrorists and suicide bombers were benefiting frompayments linked to the al-Anbar Martyrs Association.

Established in 2006, the MartyrsFoundation is the official institution responsible for supporting the familiesof victims of the Baath Party’s crimes, as well as the martyrs and wounded ofthe Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and other victims of terrorism.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq’s air defense and air force budgets should be separatedfrom the Iraqi Ministry of Defense’s general budget, a member of Iraq’sparliamentary Security and Defense Committee urged on Wednesday, arguing thatdedicated funding is needed to build an integrated deterrence system.

Haider Al-Muhyawi told Shafaq News that the currentparliamentary direction focuses on requiring the government to allocateindependent funding for air defense capabilities. “The Ministry of Defense doesnot currently need additional personnel as much as it needs to develop itstechnical, intelligence, and armament capabilities.”

He added that reopening military recruitment would impose highfinancial costs at a time when Iraq is not prepared to absorb new personneldespite calls from some political groups, accusing domestic political actors ofobstructing efforts to strengthen the Iraqi military. ”Some groups pursueexternal agendas aimed at weakening the institution.”

Iraq faces challenges in integrating its air defense systemssince the current network relies largely on fragmented short-range platformswith limited coverage, including the US-made Avenger system and theRussian-made Pantsir-S1.

These systems have struggled to prevent repeated airspaceviolations by regional actors, prompting renewed debate over Iraq’s defensemodernization efforts.

Baghdad is seeking to finalize a deal reportedly worth $3billion with France for the purchase of 14 Rafale F4 fighter jets. However,Western media reports have indicated that Israeli and US pressure hascomplicated efforts to equip the aircraft with long-range Meteor missiles.

The reported restrictions could push Iraq to consideralternative options, including China’s J-10 fighter jet or Pakistan’s JF-17aircraft, as Baghdad seeks greater flexibility in its defense procurementstrategy. 

Read more: Iraq's air defense void: How US vetoes, and Russian limits leave Baghdad exposed

Shafaq News- Baghdad

The conflict has not ended despite the recent agreementbetween the United States and Iran, the Secretary-General of Iraq's HezbollahBrigades (Kataib Hezbollah), Abu Hussein Al-Hamidawi, stated on Wednesday,warning that "more dangerous and intense phases" lie ahead.

In a statement, Al-Hamidawi said another round of war hasconcluded, “and we emerged from it with a clear victory.”

The group must remain prepared for any developments, he noted,adding that its members would continue to maintain their weapons and readiness.“The struggle extends beyond the current political developments.”

Al-Hamidawi also rejected calls for reconciliation with “thosewho supported Israel,” saying that any notion of turning a "new page"would not alter the group's position.

Earlier, Kataib Hezbollah reaffirmed that “Iraq's main armedresistance factions do not intend to surrender their weapons,” despite growingpolitical momentum behind a government-backed effort to bring all arms understate control.

Read more: Iraq to place armed factions' weapons under state control