Key Takeaways:

• POLITICS: Government Increases Pressure on Intransigent Militias to Disarm as Neighbors Warn of Retaliation if Attacked Again – On August 5, Iraq’s State Administration Coalition, which comprises the country’s main governing parties, reaffirmed its support for the government’s efforts to bring all weapons under state control and stressed that Iraqi territory must not be used to launch attacks against neighboring countries or draw Iraq into regional conflicts. In a statement issued after a meeting on Wednesday, the coalition warned that, after September 30, any armed activity outside state institutions would be treated under Iraq’s anti-terrorism law, and condemned recent attacks on the Popular Mobilization Forces. The meeting came days after reports said that Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Kuwait had warned Baghdad that any future attacks launched from Iraqi territory against their countries would prompt direct military strikes on militias inside Iraq. The warnings followed a recent escalation that included attacks by Iran-backed Iraqi militias on Saudi Arabia and subsequent U.S.-Saudi retaliatory strikes against militia targets in Iraq. In a related development, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein met his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, in Amman to discuss preparations for an upcoming visit by a delegation of Iraqi security officials to Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Kataib Hezbollah leader Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi reiterated that his militia is determined to retain its weapons and expand its arsenal despite government plans to bring all arms under state control. In related remarks, Badr Organization leader Hadi al-Amiri reportedly told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during an unofficial visit to Karbala that he would be the first to take up arms against anyone seeking to disarm the Iraqi “resistance.” more…
• SECURITY & HUMANITARIAN: Defense Ministry Announces New Divisional and Regional Command Changes – On July 30, Iraq’s Defense Ministry announced a series of command changes affecting at least three army divisions. According to a ministry statement, Major General Ahmed Kadhim was appointed commander of the 8th Division, replacing Major General Sadiq Reysan. Major General Arkan al-Mayahi was named commander of the 16th Division, succeeding Major General Kadhim Ghaylan following his retirement. Meanwhile, Major General Amir Jasim Khamees was appointed commander of the 9th Division, replacing Major General Waleed al-Kabi. On August 5, reports said that Major General Atheer Hamza Jasim had been appointed commander of the Basra Operations Command, replacing Lieutenant General Saad Ali Uraibi. These changes follow a slew of command appointments made by Prime Minister Zaidi in July, which included the Iraqi Navy, Counter-Terrorism Service, and Federal Police, among other senior posts. In other developments, on August 2, three drones targeted areas in the Erbil and Sulaymaniyah provinces of the Kurdistan region. Two of the drones were intercepted, and there were no reports of casualties or damage. Also on August 2, Iraqi military officials said an explosion at warehouses belonging to the Iraqi Army’s 9th Armored Division at Camp Taji was caused by high temperatures that ignited stored munitions. more…
• ECONOMY & CLIMATE: Iraq and Turkey Agree to Raise Oil Exports Through Ceyhan to 750,000 bpd; Southern Oil Exports Improved in July – On August 1, Iraq and Turkey signed a one-year agreement allowing Iraqi crude exports through the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline (ITP) to continue while the two sides negotiate a longer-term extension to the ITP treaty, which expired in July. The interim agreement sets a minimum export level of 750,000 barrels per day (bpd) through the pipeline. Current exports through the ITP average just over 220,000 bpd, reflecting disruptions to oil production in the Kurdistan region and limited supplies from the Kirkuk oil fields. On August 4, the head of Iraq’s Oil Marketing Company (SOMO) said that July crude oil exports averaged 1.354 million bpd amid continued shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz. Although still well below pre-war levels, July exports were more than double the 526,470 bpd reported for the May-June period. The SOMO chief did not disclose July’s revenues but said southern exports from Basra were sold at discounts of up to $20 per barrel to offset elevated shipping risks. Nearly 85% of the exports were shipped from Basra, while the remainder was exported through Turkey. In other developments, on August 4, the companies operating the Khor Mor gas field in the Kurdistan region said they had begun delivering natural gas to Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity to supply the Taza power plant in Kirkuk at a rate of 100 million cubic feet per day. On August 5, local officials in Iraq’s Maysan province reported that large numbers of fish had recently died in local waterways and marshes, attributing the die-off to low oxygen levels caused by declining water flows from the Tigris River. Also on August 5, the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) removed Iraqi private airline Fly Baghdad from its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list. more…

For more background on most of the institutions, key actors, political parties, and locations mentioned in our takeaways or in the stories that follow, see the ISHM Reference Guide.

POLITICS: Government Increases Pressure on Intransigent Militias to Disarm as Neighbors Warn of Retaliation if Attacked Again

On August 3, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani arrived in Damascus at the invitation of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Their talks focused on advancing regional stability, expanding economic cooperation between Syria and Iraq, including the Kurdistan region, and addressing the situation of Syrian refugees in the Kurdistan region. The two leaders also discussed the importance of protecting the rights of all of Syria’s diverse communities. Speaking after the meeting, Barzani said Syria has a historic opportunity to heal and rebuild, expressing “complete confidence” in President Sharaa’s vision for a stable and prosperous country. He also reaffirmed his support for a unified Syria in which the rights of all ethnic and religious communities are protected.

On August 5, Iraq’s State Administration Coalition, which comprises the main parties in government, held a meeting to discuss the country’s political, security, economic, and service-related challenges. According to a statement by Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s office, the coalition reaffirmed its support for the government’s efforts to bring all weapons under state control and stressed that Iraqi territory must not be used to launch attacks against neighboring countries or draw Iraq into regional conflicts. The coalition warned that, after September 30, any armed activity outside state institutions would be treated under Iraq’s anti-terrorism law. Participants also condemned recent attacks on Iraqi security forces, discussed measures to sustain essential public services amid the financial crisis, diversify oil export routes, and increase non-oil revenues. On regional issues, the coalition reiterated Iraq’s support for dialogue and de-escalation, rejected the use of force to resolve disputes, and expressed readiness to help mediate regional conflicts. The meeting came days after reports citing Iraqi officials said that Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Kuwait had warned Baghdad that any future attacks launched from Iraqi territory against their countries would prompt direct military strikes on militias inside Iraq. The warnings followed a recent escalation that included attacks by Iran-backed Iraqi militias on Saudi Arabia and subsequent U.S.-Saudi retaliatory strikes against militia targets in Iraq. According to the reports, Zaidi’s government is seeking to dissuade Iraq’s neighbors from taking unilateral military action while reassuring them that Baghdad can prevent further cross-border attacks. Iraqi officials argued that additional foreign strikes inside Iraq could undermine the government’s efforts to contain the escalation. In a related development, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein met his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, in Amman to discuss preparations for an upcoming visit by a delegation of Iraqi security officials to Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Kataib Hezbollah leader Abu Hussein al-Hamidawi reiterated that his militia is determined to retain its weapons despite government plans to bring all arms under state control. In a message marking the Arbaeen pilgrimage, Hamidawi said that further strengthening the military capabilities of the “resistance” factions is necessary to confront future attacks by their enemies. In related remarks, Badr Organization leader Hadi al-Amiri reportedly told Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi during an unofficial visit to Karbala that he would be the first to take up arms against anyone seeking to disarm the Iraqi “resistance.” Prime Minister Zaidi has set September 30 as the target date for bringing all weapons under state control, coinciding with the planned departure of the remaining U.S. forces from Iraq.

Sources cited in this section include: Sana, Peregraf, Bas News, Iraqi PM’s office, al-Hurra, ISHM archive, al-Sumaria, Ultra Iraq.

SECURITY & HUMANITARIAN: Defense Ministry Announces New Divisional and Regional Command Changes

On July 30, Iraq’s Defense Ministry announced a series of command changes affecting at least three army divisions. According to a ministry statement, Major General Ahmed Kadhim was appointed commander of the 8th Division, replacing Major General Sadiq Reysan, who was reassigned as deputy commander of the Maysan Operations Command. Major General Arkan al-Mayahi was named commander of the 16th Division, succeeding Major General Kadhim Ghaylan following his retirement. Meanwhile, Major General Amir Jasim Khamees was appointed commander of the 9th Division, replacing Major General Waleed al-Kabi. Subsequent reports on August 5 said that Major General Atheer Hamza Jasim has been appointed as chief of the Basra Operations Command, replacing Lieutenant General Saad Ali Uraibi. These orders follow a slew of command changes made by Prime Minister Zaidi in July, which included the Iraqi Navy, Counter-Terrorism Service, and the Federal Police, among other senior posts.

On August 2, Iraq’s Security Media Cell reported an explosion and fire at warehouses belonging to the Iraqi Army’s 9th Armored Division at Camp Taji, north of Baghdad. According to the statement, high temperatures caused munitions stored at the site to ignite. Firefighters were working to contain the blaze and determine its exact cause, the statement added.

On August 2, Rudaw reported that three drones targeted areas in the Erbil and Sulaymaniyah provinces of the Kurdistan region. According to the report, two drones approached the Pira Magroon subdistrict, northwest of the city of Sulaymaniyah, in the early morning hours, with one of them shot down. A third drone was intercepted as it approached the airspace over Erbil. There were no reports of casualties or damage.

Sources cited in this section include: Iraq’s Defense Ministry, NINA, ISHM archive, Baghdad Today, INA, Rudaw.

ECONOMY & CLIMATE: Iraq and Turkey Agree to Raise Oil Exports Through Ceyhan to 750,000 bpd; Southern Oil Exports Improved in July

On August 1, Iraq and Turkey signed a one-year agreement allowing Iraqi crude oil exports through the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline (ITP) to continue while the two sides negotiate a longer-term extension to the ITP treaty, which expired in July. The interim agreement sets a minimum export level of 750,000 barrels per day (bpd) through the pipeline, according to Oil Minister Basim Khudeir. Current exports through the ITP average just over 220,000 bpd, reflecting disruptions to oil production in the Kurdistan region and limited supplies from the Kirkuk oil fields. In April, the Oil Ministry announced infrastructure upgrades at the K-1 pumping station enabling up to 90,000 bpd of crude to be transported by truck from Basra to Kirkuk to boost northern exports amid continuing disruptions to southern exports through the Strait of Hormuz.

On August 3, Iraqi Finance Minister Falih al-Sari asked parliament to invite him to a session to brief lawmakers on the country’s financial situation and discuss the challenges facing the public treasury as a result of the regional conflict and the loss of oil export revenues, the Finance Ministry said in a statement. Reports this week pointed to widespread delays in public-sector salary payments, with some employees in the education sector reportedly going on strike after going 50 days since receiving their last paychecks. According to government sources, Sari is expected to seek parliamentary approval for the Finance Ministry to begin paying salaries every 40 days instead of every 30, among other measures aimed at easing pressure on the state budget. The request comes days after Health Minister Abdulhussein al-Mosawi warned that the financial crisis is severely affecting his ministry’s ability to procure and distribute medicines and medical supplies. According to Mosawi, Iraq’s state-run drug procurement company, Kimadia, has received only 15% of its 2026 budget allocation as the government struggles to secure sufficient funds to pay public-sector salaries, forcing some suppliers to suspend deliveries. 

On August 4, the companies operating the Khor Mor gas field in the Kurdistan region announced that they had begun delivering natural gas to Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity to supply the Taza power plant in Kirkuk. Deliveries have commenced at a rate of 100 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) under a contract with an initial term of twelve months, the field’s operators, Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum, said in a joint press release. The companies said the move was made possible by the successful completion of the KM250 production expansion project, which raised Khor Mor’s output by 50% to reach 750 MMcf/d.

On August 4, the head of Iraq’s Oil Marketing Company (SOMO) said that crude oil exports during July totaled approximately 42.5 million barrels, averaging 1.354 million bpd, amid continued shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz. Although still well below pre-war levels, the July average was more than double the 526,470 bpd reported for the May-June period. SOMO chief Ali Nizar did not disclose July’s oil revenues but said southern exports from Basra were sold at discounts of up to $20 per barrel to offset elevated shipping risks through the Strait of Hormuz. A Reuters report, however, suggested the discounts reached as much as $27 per barrel. Nearly 85% of July’s exports (35.5 million barrels, or just over 1.14 million bpd) were shipped from Basra. The remainder (seven million barrels, or about 226,000 bpd) was exported through Turkey, with the Kirkuk fields accounting for more than 200,000 bpd and fields in the Kurdistan region contributing approximately 20,000 bpd. Nizar did not mention exports by truck to Jordan, which have remained suspended since the beginning of the year.

On August 5, local officials in Iraq’s Maysan province reported that large numbers of fish have recently died in the waterways and marshes of the al-Mijar al-Kabeer district. Officials and local environmental activists attributed the die-off to low oxygen levels caused by declining water flows from the Tigris River into the area.

On August 5, the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) removed Iraqi private airline Fly Baghdad from its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list. In a statement, the company said the decision, which allows individuals and institutions to resume normal business dealings with the airline, reflects the success of its efforts to strengthen compliance, transparency, and corporate governance. OFAC designated Fly Baghdad in January 2024, alleging that the airline and its CEO had provided assistance to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its affiliated groups in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.

Sources cited in this section include: Iraq’s Oil Ministry, AP, ISHM archive, Bas News, social media, OFAC, Rudaw, Dana Gas, Kurdistan24, al-Mada.

Derived from firsthand accounts and Iraq-based Arabic and Kurdish news sources, the Iraq Security and Humanitarian Monitor is a free publication of the Enabling Peace in Iraq Center.

Subscribe to our weekly ISHM and have the latest developments in Iraq sent straight to your inbox every Thursday and follow EPIC on Twitter to receive updates throughout the week.