Federal Court Rules Against Lifetime Diplomatic Passports
Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court has annulled Law No. 6 of 2025, ruling it unconstitutional to grant politicians permanent diplomatic passports. The court stressed such privileges must be tied only to official duties.
Iraq and Britain have signed a new agreement to return Iraqi migrants who entered the UK illegally and were denied residence. Officials say the deal comes as numbers drop, with 1,900 arrivals this year compared to 2,600 last year.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) delegation met with Iraqi Finance Minister Taif Sami to discuss domestic revenue and salary payments. The minister urged the KRG to transfer 120 billion dinars to cover the sixth-month salaries.
A senior security source confirmed that U.S. forces will leave the Ain al-Assad military base in Anbar province in mid-September 2025. Coalition troops stationed there will relocate to Syria, while forces in Baghdad will be transferred to Erbil. A limited U.S. presence will remain in Baghdad as part of joint operations.
Massoud Barzani stressed that the financial entitlements of the Kurdistan Region must be settled and salaries should not become part of political disputes. His remarks came during a meeting with the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, where relations between Erbil and Baghdad and oil exports were also discussed.
Teachers and employees in Sulaimanyah province protested Wednesday against salary delays, demanding their sixth month’s wages. New generation movement faction expressed support, calling salaries a national right beyond party lines.
A high-level Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) delegation is set to meet with Iraqi Finance Minister Taif Sami and federal officials to resolve issues related to non-oil revenues and reach a new agreement that will shape financial relations in the coming months.
Iraqi PM Mohammed Shia Sudani said the Central Bank has supported the creation of 22,000 jobs through loans to 12,000 people and projects. He stressed the need to back youth and small businesses to boost the economy.
The Iraqi High Electoral Commission has expelled 470 candidates from the upcoming parliamentary elections. Parties have three days to replace them, while expelled candidates may appeal the decision.
Iraq’s Interior Ministry announced that nearly 49 million unified national cards have been issued since 2015. The project now covers 20 registration centers across Iraq and eight Iraqi embassies abroad to serve citizens.
The Metro Center has urged the Court of Appeal to annul the prison sentence issued against activist and journalist Sherwan Sherwani, citing political interference and violations of fair trial standards.
The Kurdistan Regional Government’s Hajj and Umrah Directorate has suspended all Umrah flights from the Region to Saudi Arabia until stranded pilgrims are returned. The decision follows delays caused by a shortage of planes.
The Ministry of Electricity announced the full resumption of the Basmaya power plant, adding 5,000 megawatts to the national grid. The move aims to boost power generation and reduce outage hours across Iraq.
The Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) discussed salary nationalization, oil exports, and domestic revenues in a joint meeting on Tuesday. Officials said progress was made on oil production and export through SOMO, while other issues remain unresolved.
The New Generation Movement confirmed it will participate in Wednesday’s demonstrations by teachers and employees, while calling for a broader nationwide protest next week.
Journalist Sherwan Sherwani, who was due for release today, has instead been handed an additional four years and six months in prison. Sulaiman Musa, leader of the New Generation Movement list in Duhok, criticized the ruling.
The New Generation Movement distributed drinking water to several neighborhoods in Sulaimani on August 18, 2025, as residents continue to face chronic shortages. Families welcomed the initiative, saying the government has failed to address the crisis.
more than 400 oil tankers with Kurdistan Region license plates have been stranded in Afghanistan after authorities rejected the cargo for poor quality.
The Central Bank of Iraq has allocated 5 trillion dinars to finance small and medium-sized projects. The initiative aims to support over 100,000 businesses by the end of the program.
The Coordination Framework is set to meet today to review key national issues. The agenda includes stalled oil exports, upcoming parliamentary elections, and the future of US forces in Iraq.
The US Embassy in Baghdad confirmed that the withdrawal of coalition forces does not mark the end of efforts against terrorism. Military coordination will shift to a bilateral security partnership with Iraqi forces, while civilian efforts continue globally.
Reactions continue worldwide to the arrest of New Generation Movement leader Shaswar Abdulwahid, seen as politically motivated ahead of elections. His bail was denied, and his trial postponed, fueling concerns over political freedoms in the Kurdistan Region.
New Generation Movement has called on parties outside the PUK and KDP to organize nationwide demonstrations over salary delays, warning it will act independently if ignored. The movement accused the KRG of neglecting the suffering of citizens and employees.
Coalition forces will begin withdrawing from Ain al-Assad base and Baghdad airport to Erbil next month under a U.S.-Iraq agreement. Military trainers will remain in Iraq, unrelated to the withdrawal.
Former MP Omar Inayat accused the PUK and KDP of seeking to exclude Shaswar Abdulwahid from elections, fearing New Generation’s rise. He said even parts of the opposition are wary of Abdulwahid’s influence.
Writer Massoud Abdulkhaliq said the arrest of Shaswar Abdulwahid proved that the New Generation Movement is independent and not tied to any party. He warned that there is no future under PUK and KDP rule
The KDP announced it has agreed with the PUK on the principles of forming a new cabinet, with no major disagreements preventing progress. Remaining issues, such as post distribution and parliament, are expected to be resolved soon.
New Generation MP Azad Karim said the arrest of party leader Shaswar Abdulwahid will not overshadow the unresolved salary crisis in the Kurdistan Region. He accused the outgoing government of failing to honor agreements with Baghdad or distribute salaries from revenues.