Archive | Security

Possible New Ministry as Iraq grapples with PMU Reform

From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Talk of new ministry emerges as Iraq grapples with PMU reform Shortly after winning a contentious confidence vote in parliament on May 14, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi told lawmakers that his government […]

Integrity Commission Foils $1.1bn Bank Fraud in Baghdad

By John Lee. Iraq's Federal Commission of Integrity has disrupted an attempt to fraudulently obtain nearly IQD 1.5 trillion (USD 1.1 billion) from two state-owned banks in Baghdad. A field team from the commission's Baghdad Investigations Directorate, working in coordination with judicial authorities, apprehended three suspects at the headquarters of Rafidain Bank. The suspects were […]

Sadr Orders Militia to Join Iraq's State Security Structure

By John Lee. Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr announced on Wednesday the complete separation of his Saraya al-Salam [Peace Brigades] militia from his National Shiite Movement and its full integration into Iraq's state armed forces, saying the move was motivated by "public interest" and the need to avoid dangers facing the country. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi […]

Amentum to support Iraq's T-6A Aircraft Programme

By John Lee. US-based Amentum Services has been awarded a $11,519,840 contract for "T-6 sustainment and contractor logistics support." According to a statement from the US Department of War "This contract provides for 15 T-6A aircraft sustainment contract, including Supply Support, Field Service Representative, Labor and Engineering Task Assignments for a 90-day transition period and […]

Baghdad "Plays the Field for New Fighter Jets"

From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Amid war over its skies, Baghdad plays the field for new fighter jets Iraq has in recent years found itself in the middle of several bouts of Israeli-US wars with Iran, with its […]

Talk of Secret Israeli Base Rocks Iraq, "Sudani Seen as Main Victim"

From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. As talk of secret Israeli base rocks Iraq, Sudani seen as main victim In Iraq, officials are trading accusations after US media reports claiming that Israel has operated a clandestine base in the […]

Does PM-Designate Indicate Shift in Iran-US Balance in Iraq?

From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Deep Dive: Does young new PM-designate portend shift in Iran-US balance in Iraq? After months of deadlock, Iraq's ruling Shiite Coordination framework has secured 41-year-old businessman Ali Al-Zaidi as prime minister-designate. The April […]

Book Review: China in Iraq after the War

By Yasir Kuoti, for the Yale Journal of International Affairs. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. China in Iraq after the War: From Underdog to Unassailable Under President Xi Jinping, China has considerably expanded its footprint across the Middle East, transforming from […]

US Sanctions for alleged Oil Smuggling; Ministry Denies Wrongdoing

By John Lee. The US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has designated Iraq's Deputy Minister of Oil, Ali Maarij Al-Bahadly, along with several other individuals and businesses, as part of a sanctions action targeting what it describes as the exploitation of Iraq's oil sector to benefit Iran and Iran-aligned militias. The Treasury said […]

Commission Reports 181 Anti-Corruption Ops in February

By John Lee. The Iraqi Commission of Integrity has published statistics showing that its directorates and investigation offices conducted 181 operations across Iraq in February 2026, resulting in the apprehension of 168 suspects. The figures, broken down by governorate, are as follows: Kirkuk: 20 total operations, 9 apprehension operations, 9 suspects detained, 11 priority operations […]

Conscription Plans Ignite Debate in Iraq

From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Parliamentary push to bring back conscription ignites debate in Iraq Iraq's parliament has completed its first reading of a bill that would reintroduce mandatory conscription for men. Backed by Parliament Speaker Haibat Al-Halbousi, […]