PM Al-Sudani in Victory Anniversary: Terrorism no longer has a foothold in Iraq
Shafaq News/ On Monday, the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, declared that terrorism no longer has a foothold in Iraq.
During his speech in Victory Day anniversary, commemorating seven years since Iraq's defeat of ISIS, Al-Sudani praised the sacrifices of the nation, stating, “This victory, achieved through the sacrifices of our martyrs and wounded, supported by the fatwa of the Supreme Religious Authority, is a source of pride for all Iraqis.
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He highlighted Iraq's role in combating terrorism on behalf of the world, adding, “Our allies stood with us in this fight because Iraqis were battling a threat that endangered the entire region and the globe. Today, terrorism has no place in Iraq, and its remnants face only defeat and flight before our armed forces.”
The PM further stressed the importance of addressing the root causes of the 2014 ISIS invasion, pledging to strengthen the rule of law, rebuild liberated areas, and support displaced communities. Iraq has emerged stronger, victorious, and resolute in its pursuit of reconstruction and development, he said.
Commenting on the ongoing crisis in neighboring Syria, Al-Sudani urged the international community to act responsibly, stating, “We hope that the region and the world will act responsibly to safeguard Syria’s security and sovereignty. The Syrian people must have the freedom to determine their future, and the international community must ensure the unity of Syrian territory and protect its diversity.”
Stay updated on finance, currency revaluation, and Iraq Dinar news. Important announcements and potential developments are expected in the next few days.
Highlights
🔍 Dinar RV Updates: Anticipation builds around the Iraq Dinar revaluation and related news.
💰 Contract Rates: President Trump aims to secure better rates for the Dinar, beyond standard bank rates.
📈 Economic Reforms: Iraq’s government is focused on monetary reforms, with significant changes expected soon.
❗ Redemption Centers: Over 6,000 redemption centers are confirmed for Dinar exchanges, enhancing access.
🌍 International Cooperation: Iraq’s Central Bank collaborates with the EU and Germany to improve financial markets.
📅 Upcoming Announcements: A significant announcement regarding the HCL and exchange rates is anticipated in the next few days
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Key Insights
🔍 Redemption Centers Are Real: With over 6,000 centers available, access to better rates for currency exchange is becoming a viable option for investors. This network is crucial for facilitating the expected currency revaluation.
💰 Contract Rates Explained: Contract rates exist independently of formal contracts, potentially offering higher exchange rates for Dinar holders, reflecting the administration’s effort to maximize investor returns.
📈 Monetary Reforms Underway: Iraq’s current government is working diligently on economic reforms, which are key to stabilizing and enhancing the value of the Dinar in the global market.
❗ Public Sentiment: Iraqi citizens express frustration over unmet promises regarding purchasing power, illustrating the gap between government actions and public expectations, which could impact political stability.
🌍 International Partnerships: The agreement with the EU and Germany signifies Iraq’s commitment to reform and modernization, paving the way for improved economic conditions and foreign investment.
📅 Expectations for Change: Analysts predict significant developments in the next few days, suggesting a critical period for currency revaluation that could reshape Iraq’s economic landscape.
Regional shockwaves: The fall of Al-Assad's regime and Iraq's political dilemmas
Shafaq News/ The collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria has sent shockwaves across the Middle East, with profound implications for neighboring Iraq.
The Syrian civil war, which began in 2011, culminated in November 2024 when opposition forces started a surprise attack on the Syrian army and took control of major cities including Aleppo, Homs, and Damascus, ending over 50 years of Al-Assad family rule and marking a historic turning point.
Iraq, already grappling with internal challenges, is now facing heightened instability due to the spillover effects of Syria's fragmentation along ethnic and religious lines. This raises fears of similar repercussions within Iraq.
Shiite Bloc: Balancing Act Amid Regional Upheaval
The relationship between Iraq's Shiite political factions and the Alawite Al-Assad family has been historically rooted in alliances forged during the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988), with both siding with Iran against Saddam Hussein's Sunni-dominated regime.
Post-2003, some Iraqi Shiite factions, particularly those aligned with Iran, actively supported Al-Assad's regime, even fighting alongside Syrian government forces. However, this time Iraqi leaders have shown restraint, avoiding direct involvement in Syria’s conflict to prevent destabilizing effects at home.
Political analyst Azzam Al-Hamdani highlighted the Shiite bloc's cautious stance, "The Shiite political bloc [Coordination Framework] is the decision-maker in Iraq and perceives the war in Syria as a potential catalyst for change and the emergence of new regimes in the region. Therefore, it fears for its interests and Iraq, given its control over the political balancing act in the country."
This sentiment was echoed by Abdul Rahman Al-Jazairi, a leader within the ruling Framework. He expressed concerns about the broader regional implications, stating, "Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani believes Iraq is not part of the conflict, contrary to some politicians' claims that the war is approaching the country."
Sunni Bloc: Limited Influence in Regional Affairs
The Sunni political bloc in Iraq is viewed as lacking decision-making power and influence, often following the directives of the Shiite leadership.
Al-Hamdani noted, "The Sunni political bloc is not a decision-maker in Iraq; it represents the weakest link and thus relies on the outcomes rather than influencing regional events."
"The Sunni political actor is weak and ineffective to be a party in the equation; rather, it is subject to the dictates of Shiite political decisions. Even though there is a partnership in the state within the political system, it still adheres to what is imposed on it by Shiite political decisions."
“The Sunni house is a participant, not a partner, and follows the path dictated by Shiite political decisions. The same is true for the Kurdish political house." Al-Hamdani said.
Khamis al-Khanjar, head of Iraq’s Sunni Sovereignty (Al-Siyada) Alliance, is one of the few Sunni leaders to address the Syrian regime's collapse. He congratulated the Syrian people, calling the event “the end of an era of criminal dictatorship in Syria and the beginning of a new chapter.” Al-Khanjar also urged all nations to respect Syria's sovereignty, emphasizing non-interference in its internal affairs.
Kurdish Bloc: A Measured Response
The Kurdish political perspective reflects both strategic considerations and a sense of shared danger. Kurdish analyst Abdul Salam Barwari emphasized the Alawite-led Syrian regime's pivotal role as a conduit for Iranian support to Hezbollah via Iraq.
Barwari explained, "It is unfair to say that Sunnis and Kurds are uninterested in the events in Syria. However, their reactions are calmer compared to the Shiite positions, due to the lack of a direct threat to them. But if Iraq is targeted, the threat will affect everyone."
He further noted the uneven media attention on different political groups, "Sunni and Kurdish politicians share the same sense of danger as the Shiites, but media coverage tends to focus more on Shiite politicians and officials, resulting in their greater media presence."
I told the budget was adjusted today and done
They published three different articles today saying only 4 out of 5 laws will be pushed to the next legislative term which is the beginning of the year
but the budget was NOT mentioned to be done by the beginning of next yearWhich mean it was done today
So now we wait as what they said:
“ the law become effective on the day of its publication on the official gazette”
So we are waiting on that
And they publish gazette on random days
Iraq rises to third in Arab gold reserves, 28th globally, report
Shafaq News/ Iraq climbed to third place among Arab countries in terms of gold reserves, and 28th globally, following Lebanon’s removal from the ranking, the World Gold Council announced on Monday.
According to the council’s latest report published in December 2024, Iraq’s gold holdings increased to 152.7 tons, up from 152.5 tons last month. These reserves account for 11.5% of Iraq’s total foreign reserves, securing its position as the third-largest holder of gold in the Arab world.
The council noted that "the United States continues to top the global ranking for gold reserves, with 8,133.5 tons, followed by Germany with 3,351.5 tons, and Italy with 2,814 tons. Meanwhile, Bosnia and Herzegovina ranked last with just 1.5 tons."
The report did not specify why Lebanon, previously ranked third in the Arab world with 286.8 tons of gold reserves as of last month, was excluded from the ranking.
The World Gold Council, headquartered in the United Kingdom, is a leading authority on the factors influencing the gold market. It includes some of the largest gold mining companies in the world.
