Iraq has officially published the Restitution Law, the Personal Status Law, and the General Amnesty Law in the Official Gazette of Iraq, clearing the way for their enforcement. The Restitution Law will restore farmland ownership to Kurdish farmers in Kirkuk.
The amount of drama and news converged on this army/farmers situation is astronomical!
And yet the budget law printed in the gazette was hard to find, only one post about it. Idk about you, but if MY WHOLE COUNTRY WAS WAITING ON MONEY, and you didn’t want to be bombarded on that issue when it drops,
I would most certainly stir up another news worthy issue and make sure the news was covering it and people were invested in that story.
Kind of reminds me of when we had a huge steal in our 2020 election, yet all of a sudden Jan 6th insurrection happened…. And THAT was all anyone talked about.
Just some thoughts and observations as I’m digging through Iraqi news.
FRANK26: "A NEW BANKING ECONOMIC CENTER IN ERBIL... FOR THE MONETARY REFORM'S SUCCESS"......F26
Expected visit of the Central Bank Governor to Sulaymaniyah
2/19/2025
- Sulaymaniyah
Today, Wednesday (February 19, 2025), the representative of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Gharib Ahmed, commented on the visit of the Governor of the Central Bank, Ali Al-Alaq, to the city of Sulaymaniyah.
He said in an interview with Baghdad Today, "This visit is an important and excellent step that came based on the desire of the people of Sulaymaniyah and the Kurdistan Region," explaining in his answer to a question about opening branches of Rafidain and Rashid banks, he replied that "if it happens, it is considered an important step to ensure the disbursement of employees' salaries according to what was stipulated in the Federal Court's decision, and also an important step for other financial transactions that the people of the region you want.”
Ahmed pointed out that "there is a request to open other branches of Rafidain and Rashid banks in the governorates of the Kurdistan Region, and in independent administrations such as the Raparin Faqi Ranya Administration and the Karmian Administration."
This comes in the context of the Federal Court's decision to localize the salaries of Kurdistan Region employees at outlets spread across the region or banks open and licensed by the Central Bank of Iraq
.
Ahmed added that "this step will contribute to enhancing financial stability in the region and meeting citizens' needs in the field of financial services. He also stressed the importance of enhancing cooperation between the Central Bank of Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government to achieve these goals."
The Governor of the Central Bank, Ali Al-Alaq, is scheduled to visit the city of Sulaymaniyah to open branches of Rafidain and Rashid in the city, in a move aimed at enhancing financial services in the region and meeting the needs of citizens.
Iraq, which holds over $100 billion in reserves in the US, relies on American support to maintain access to its oil revenues however its financial standing could be at risk as US president Donald Trump has signaled a return to his maximum pressure policy on Iran.
Iran...has used Iraq as an economic gateway to access hard currency and bypass U.S. sanctions.
Al-Sudani reassures Iraqi Christians: We will continue to combat hate speech and promote religious diversity
2/20/2025
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani confirmed, on Thursday, to a group of members of the Iraqi community in the US state of Michigan, that the state is continuing to combat hate speech and promote religious diversity, through several steps.
Al-Sudani's media office said in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency, "The Prime Minister received a group of members of the Iraqi community in the US state of Michigan, and stressed that the government looks at all components with justice and without discrimination, and is working to address the negative effects resulting from terrorism that targeted all Iraqis, with the aim of dismantling societal peace and creating division among members of society."
Al-Sudani added, according to the statement, that "the ISIS terrorism page united all Iraqis who lined up to stand against it, and thwarted the terrorist plans," noting that "the government's mission focuses on providing reasons for the return of Iraqis from abroad, especially the sons of the Christian component, and efforts continue to enhance consensus between all components in the areas that need to be reconstructed and that were destroyed by terrorism, indicating that the government has taken several measures and decisions that serve and address the situation of Christians in their areas."
He continued, " The war against terrorism has disrupted development and delayed reconstruction efforts. This was a challenge that the government faced. Our government assumed its responsibility under exceptional circumstances, and we focused on erasing the effects of the delay in providing services in all parts of Iraq . We also decided to establish a fund to rebuild Sinjar and the Nineveh Plain. Efforts are continuing to stabilize the population and provide services to them ."
He explained that " we have proposed several projects in the Nineveh Plain Reconstruction Fund to serve those areas, and " Telkef " and " Hamdaniya " were outside the scope of the fund's work , so we presented a package of service projects to serve them, and we presented a draft of the International Crimes Law , laws to protect diversity, and a strategy to criminalize and combat hate speech and racism, which gives reassurance to all Iraqi components ."
She pointed out that " we want to preserve the cultural and religious diversity that is a source of social wealth for Iraq , and we call on Iraqi Christian businessmen to participate in the development movement in all parts of Iraq. "
He pointed out that " Baghdad and all of Iraq are witnessing unprecedented development and commercial activity , and we call on businessmen to invest in the fields of hotels , restaurants and shopping centers . There is a discourse directed against the situation in Iraq, to distort the image of the state and government, in an attempt to obstruct the building of the state and destabilize it."
Al-Sudani called on the Iraqi community to bear " the responsibility of clarifying the images of peaceful coexistence in Iraq between all components, and the historical depth of this coexistence."
In this video, the host, identified as Militia Man and Crew, shares significant updates regarding recent developments in Iraq, focusing on the announcement of the final results of a general population census and their implications for the country’s governance and economy.
The host emphasizes the importance of accurate demographic data, which will assist in ensuring citizens receive their constitutional rights. Additionally, discussions surrounding the resumption of oil exports from the Kurdistan region and the Iraqi government’s commitment to the federal budget law are highlighted.
The host expresses optimism about these developments, suggesting they could lead to economic improvements and enhanced international relations.
Furthermore, the video touches on the importance of lifting international travel bans on airlines to facilitate foreign investment and discusses historical bonds as a potential leverage point for Iraq in global negotiations. The host encourages viewers to engage with the content and join the community for further insights.
📈 Final Census Results: The Iraqi Ministry of Planning is set to announce the final results of the general population census, which will provide crucial demographic data for governance.
🛢️ Oil Export Resumption: An agreement has been reached between the Kurdistan region and Baghdad to resume oil exports, following a two-year halt due to disputes.
💵 Budget Law Commitment: The Kurdistan Regional Government affirms its commitment to implementing provisions of the federal budget law, essential for oil export and revenue sharing.
🌍 International Implications: The resumption of oil exports is expected to have significant implications not only locally but also on a global scale, affecting international oil markets.
✈️ Air Travel Ban Discussion: The Iraqi Prime Minister emphasizes the importance of lifting bans on airline travel to facilitate foreign investment and economic recovery.
🔍 Historical Bonds Mention: The host draws attention to historical bonds as a point of interest, suggesting that they may play a role in Iraq’s economic strategies in negotiations with other nations.
🎥 Community Engagement: The host encourages viewers to like, subscribe, and join the Patreon community for further discussions and insights on Iraq’s developments.
Key Insights
📊 The Importance of Accurate Demographics: The announcement of the final census results is crucial as it will provide the Iraqi government with accurate population data. This information is essential for effective governance, enabling the government to allocate resources and implement policies that meet the needs of its citizens. It also plays a significant role in ensuring that all citizens receive their constitutional rights, impacting social equity and justice.
🛢️ Economic Recovery through Oil Exports: The agreement to resume oil exports from the Kurdistan region indicates a positive step toward economic recovery for Iraq. The previous halt in oil exports due to disputes had financial repercussions, and resuming these exports will generate revenue for both the Kurdistan region and the federal government.
This could lead to improved public services and infrastructure development.
💰 Budget Law as a Framework for Cooperation: The commitment of the Kurdistan Regional Government to adhere to the federal budget law is pivotal in establishing a cooperative framework between regional and federal authorities. This cooperation is essential for ensuring that oil revenues are managed effectively and benefit the broader Iraqi economy. It also sets a precedent for future negotiations and agreements between the two governments.
🌐 Global Economic Impact: The resumption of oil exports from Iraq is not only significant for the nation but also has broader implications for the global oil market. As Iraq is a key player in oil production, any increase in exports can influence oil prices and availability on the international stage. This aspect could attract attention from global investors and stakeholders.
🛫 Lifting Travel Bans for Investment: The importance of lifting international travel bans on airlines is underscored as a means to stimulate foreign investment in Iraq. Facilitating travel for investors is crucial for developing partnerships and attracting international business, which is essential for Iraq’s long-term economic growth and stability.
📅 Historical Bonds as a Strategic Asset: The mention of historical bonds highlights a potentially strategic asset for Iraq in its international negotiations. The exploration of these bonds could lead to new financial opportunities and leverage points for the Iraqi government in discussions with foreign entities, impacting Iraq’s economic landscape.
🙌 Community and Engagement: The host’s encouragement for viewer engagement reflects a broader trend in content creation where community involvement is essential. By fostering a sense of community through subscriptions and discussions, the host not only builds a loyal audience but also creates a platform for shared knowledge and insights, enhancing the overall understanding of complex topics like Iraq’s political and economic situation.
In conclusion, the developments covered in the video signify a transformative period for Iraq, with potential for economic recovery, improved governance, and enhanced international relationships. As the country navigates these changes, the importance of accurate data, regional cooperation, and global engagement will play critical roles in shaping its future. The host’s emphasis on community and engagement further highlights the need for collective understanding and action in addressing these significant issues.
