Syria to revive rail and road links with Iraq, minister told Shafaq News, 21 JAN

 Syria to revive rail and road links with Iraq, minister told Shafaq News

Shafaq News/ Syrian Transport Minister in the new government, Bahaa al-Din Sherim, revealed, on Monday, plans to rehabilitate the railway and road networks connecting Syria to Iraq.

In an interview with Shafaq News Agency, Sherim stated that developing transportation infrastructure between Syria and Iraq "is among the priorities of the new Syrian Ministry of Transport."

He linked the speed of implementation to overcoming security obstacles, noting, "There are some challenges at present due to the security situation in the Deir ez-Zor and Hasakah regions." 

Shermi emphasized that securing the road would lead to "restoring the railway lines and completing their connection with Iraq."

He also confirmed that road maintenance would take place, adding that there may be plans to "construct new roads to enhance the transportation of goods between Syria and Iraq."

There are four official border crossings between Iraq and Syria, with a border stretching over 600 kilometers. 

This border has witnessed significant tensions since 2011 and has been a central part of the battles in the region during those years.

IRAQ STATUS, 21 JAN

 IRAQ STATUS

Highlights

Summary

• 📅 Budget Preparations: The Iraqi government is in the process of approving budget law amendments that impact the Kurdistan region’s oil costs.
• 💳 Financial Services Expansion: The CBI is focusing on expanding ATMs, which are essential for the Dinar’s anticipated value change.
• ⚖️ Bond Payment Buzz: There are reports of bond payments being processed, creating excitement among investors.
• 🔍 Economic Fundamentals: A strong economy is crucial for any changes in currency value, and the CBI will only act when confident in economic stability.

Key Insights

• 🔄 Complexity of Currency Changes: Changing a currency’s value is not a straightforward process. It requires careful consideration by the Central Bank of Iraq and necessitates a strong economic foundation. This insight emphasizes the intricate relationship between a country’s economic health and its currency value.

• 🌍 Kurdistan’s Economic Role: The budget amendments concerning the Kurdistan region highlight the importance of regional economic activities in the larger national context. Proper management of oil extraction costs is crucial for the overall stability of Iraq’s economy.

• 💼 Investor Sentiment: The buzz around bond payments indicates a level of optimism among investors, suggesting that significant movements may be on the horizon. However, the lack of concrete confirmations from reliable sources reflects the uncertainty prevalent in the market.

• 🏦 Role of the Central Bank: The CBI’s decisions will be pivotal in determining the Dinar’s future. The video highlights that change cannot occur without a solid economic foundation, implying that the bank is likely to proceed with caution.

MZ: the dinar is popping up on different aps and pairing with different crypto pairing.this is big!!

 

Republican Congressman Joe Wilson claims Iran controls Iraq, threatens US, 21 JAN

 Republican Congressman Joe Wilson claims Iran controls Iraq, threatens US

Shafaq News/ Republican Congressman Joe Wilson, a close ally of President Donald Trump, stated, on Monday, that Iran controls the government in Iraq and that its "armed factions" pose a threat to the United States.

On X, Wilson stated, "Iran has been defeated in Lebanon and Syria but still runs Iraq. Obama and Brett Mcgurk failed in their strategy to hand Iraq to Iran during the war on ISIS."

He added, "Iranian-backed militias in Iraq threaten the U.S. and our allies they must be dealt with. Trump will fix it.

During his presidency, Donald Trump took significant actions against Iranian-backed armed factions in Iraq. He notably ordered the killing of Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis in January 2020 to weaken these groups' influence.

The Trump administration also imposed sanctions on these groups and maintained a US military presence in Iraq to ensure stability and counter their influence. Diplomatic efforts pressured the Iraqi government to disband or integrate these factions into the regular armed forces.

“Coffee With MarkZ” Monday Morning Chat 1-20-2025, 21 JAN

 “Coffee With MarkZ” Monday Morning Chat 1-20-2025

Thank you MarkZ for all your time, and encouragement daily….. PDK

MarkZ  Update- Some highlights by PDK-Not verbatim

MarkZ Disclaimer: Please consider everything on this call as my opinion. People who take notes do not catch everything and its best to watch the video so that you get everything in context.  Be sure to consult a professional for any financial decisions

Member: Good Morning,. God Bless America

Member: Happy 1st Day of the rest of our lives! Good morning, Mark

Member: Hoping this is our week for some solid news....

Member: Lots of big changes starting today……is this our week? I hope and pray it is

MZ: There is a great piece in Iraq about new bills and security features. This is a really big one 

Member: Mark: I was disappointed to see their new security feature bank notes with the zeros still intact. Why would they print up new currency if they were going to change the rate??

MZ: “CBI unveils new banknote security features” Lots of pictures and they show us on the old bills where some of these features could be and what to look for ….This is great cover for new bills and distributing the lower denominations…….this is a world class approach. With bills with new security feature- they will need to distribute the lower denominations  throughout the banks and businesses .  

MZ: This article had me awfully excited. The dinar is going to be one of the most sophisticated currencies in the world…..and it should be as imo it is about to be the most valuable currency in the world. 

Member: Iraq needs to mount coins when the value increases

Member: I heard they didn't sign the budget contract in Iraq and they got mad and walked out and rescheduled for tomorrow. I think they are waiting on Trump for some reason.

MZ: it was quite an interesting weekend in Iraq:  “ Iraq parliament Adjourns it’s session after breaking the quorum”   yesterday when it got to the budget….members threw fits  and ministers walked out. They are reconvening Tuesday at 1:00. Sudani says they are going to settle this Erbil thing and anybody who does not show up will face a One million dinar fine. If there is a new value that would be one heck of a fine. 

MZ: It would be easier if they had the new rate so the budget tables would make sense 

MZ: “A delegation from the regions finance heads to Baghdad to discuss salaries and budget amendments”  they are sending delegations back and forth to settle things by Tuesday 

MZ: “ Parliamentary finance: Amending article 12 will cost the state $7.5 billion” this is part of what the walk outs were about. 

MZ: I guess people are more motivated to do the right thing when money is on the line. 

Member: Mark look at IQD on xe and see what it says …it started showing up on Saturday

MZ: We are seeing some crazy rates and values….buckle up…its going to be a crazy couple of days. 

Member: I heard that Holly said the RV won’t happen until the USN’s are released and the Republic announced?

MZ: I was told from day one that this would happen at the same time….

Member: if Trump is signing about 200 EO’s today…..i wonder if he will slip in the reset and Nesara while he’s signing????

Member: It is going to be a wonderful week. 

Member: Thank Mark for all this encouragement. Everyone enjoy the first day of the best of our lives. 

Fernando from ATB joins the stream today. Listen to the replay for his information

EXCERPTS FROM MARKZ: MY CONTACTS EXPECT IT THE 21ST -22ND ‪@DINARREVALUATION‬ #iraqidinarinvestor

 

Largest oil storage discovered in central Iraq, 21 JAN

 Largest oil storage discovered in central Iraq

Al-Wasat Oil Company, in cooperation with the Chinese company (EBS), announced the achievement of a major oil discovery in the southern East Baghdad field.

The company’s general manager, Mohammed Yassin Hassan, said in a statement received by {Al-Furat News} that the main exploratory well test operations in the East Baghdad field have achieved great success, as a high-yield oil flow of medium and light oil was obtained.

He is expected to add more than two billion barrels to Iraq’s oil reserves, making it the largest oil discovery in central Iraq.

The Director General pointed out that the initial tests of the well showed a daily production rate of up to 5,000 barrels of crude oil.

Yassin praised the fruitful cooperation between the Iraqi engineers of the Central Oil Company and their counterparts in the Chinese company EBS, which resulted in careful planning and the careful implementation of well testing procedures in areas within the oil field.

This discovery gains strategic importance as it adds to Iraq’s oil balance, which ranks fifth in the world in proven reserves. This achievement also enhances the productive capacities of Iraq, one of the founding and influential members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which supports its pivotal role in the global energy market.

https://alforatnews.iq/news/اكتشاف-أكبر-خزين-نفطي-في-وسط-العراق