Sudani: Iraq to Halt Gas Exports by 2028 and Launch Major Economic Reforms
Iraq plans to halt gas exports by 2028 and attract $100 billion in Gulf investment under new economic reforms. Sudani says the government will combat poverty and corruption while strengthening ties with the Kurdistan Region and international partners.
Sudani said Iraq needs a constitutional timeframe to form the next government and will open dialogue with all parties to protect their rights. He affirmed that Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region are resolving remaining technical issues and that the Region’s needs will be treated equally to all Iraqi provinces.
Rebaz Hamlan says Baghdad will send the September payment soon but wants to resolve all four remaining payments of the year at once. He confirmed that the issue will be finalized in coordination with Prime Minister Sudani.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Sudani arrived in the Kurdistan Region to attend the Middle East Peace and Security Conference. The event brings together Iraqi and international figures to discuss political and security developments.
The Iraqi Cabinet approved payments for ballot box and reserve employees, ranging from 100,000 to 400,000 dinars. Bank card requirements have been removed, and payments will be distributed through banks
The Zet–Darajik International Gateway in Sherwan Mazen has been closed due to a technical problem on the Turkish side. Management apologized to travelers and said the crossing will reopen once the issue is resolved.
Prime Minister Sudani phoned Sirwa Abdulwahid to discuss election results and inquire about Shaswar Abdulwahid’s condition after five months of detention. He emphasized the need for political cooperation to form the new government.
Nechirvan Barzani expressed hope that Iraq and the Kurdistan Region will enter a new and better phase following the parliamentary elections. His meeting with the Italian Ambassador focused on the political process and efforts to form the next cabinet.
Cloudy to partly cloudy weather is expected today and tomorrow across the Kurdistan Region, with slight temperature changes. Fog is possible early tomorrow, especially in mountainous areas.
The Election Commission will announce the final results of the parliamentary elections today after confirming a 100% match between manual and electronic counts. The appeals period will open for three days once results are published.
Iraqi military intelligence has foiled an attempt to smuggle 22,000 narcotic pills into Anbar province using a balloon. The drugs were seized in the Karma area and handed over to the Counter-Narcotics Directorate.
More than 10,000 people visited Sulaimanyah Children’s Hospital in 15 days due to a seasonal epidemic, with over 1,500 children admitted. The hospital confirms the outbreak is not dangerous and no child deaths have been recorded.
The Iraqi Election Commission will announce the final parliamentary election results today or tomorrow, confirming a 100% match with manual counting. Parties will have three days to submit appeals after publication.
Heavy rains in Zakho caused flooding that damaged several homes, according to residents. More than 20 mm of rain fell in just 12 hours, with locals criticizing the lack of preventive measures.
The UK government plans to cancel housing and weekly allowances for migrants who violate regulations and refuse to work. The Home Secretary will outline the new stricter measures as the number of asylum approvals is expected to reach 110,000 by 2025.
Rainfall amounts in the Kurdistan Region have decreased this year, with Sulaimanyah recording 36.6 mm compared to much higher levels last year. The highest rainfall in the past 24 hours was in Sarwchawa with 64.1 mm, while several areas recorded very low amounts.
The Iraqi government is expected to begin distributing November salaries at the end of this week or early next week. Salary payments to the Kurdistan Region are also expected next week, pending the delivery of 120 billion dinars in non-oil revenues for September.
Iraq’s Minister of Water Resources says this year’s rainfall outlook is promising after several years of drought. He expects strong rains this season and a positive first quarter of next year.
The Iraqi Independent High Election Commission (IHEC) announced that it has received a total of 102 complaints regarding both general and special voting days. Most complaints were classified as “yellow,” meaning they do not meet requirements and will not impact the election results.
Iraq is introducing a barcode system to protect consumers and ensure product quality. The program, starting November 15, 2025, will initially cover major electrical appliances.
The KDP’s Hoshyar Zebari says Iraq’s complex post-election landscape may delay forming the next government. He notes that while complications could slow negotiations, they might also push parties toward quicker agreements.
The Iraqi Prime Minister will visit the Kurdistan Region this week to discuss government formation and unresolved issues between Erbil and Baghdad, including salaries. His visit comes amid political competition among Shiite parties over the next prime ministerial post.
The first wave of rainfall has reached several provinces in the Kurdistan Region and is expected to continue until Monday. Weather forecasts warn of up to 70 mm of rain in some areas.
Heavy rain caused major technical failures in the outdated government’s power network, cutting electricity in parts of Erbil, Sulaimanyah, and Duhok. Many neighborhoods remain without power as authorities warn of continued shortages.
The US Special Representative for Iraq congratulated the Iraqi people and government on holding parliamentary elections as scheduled, describing the vote as a significant step toward democracy and stability.
Citizens from several tribes in Duhok protested on Thursday, blocking the Duhok–Erbil road and accusing the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) of altering election results in favor of its candidates.
Supporters of the Prosperity and Development Coalition celebrated in Baghdad after the announcement of preliminary election results, with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Sudani pledging to serve all Iraqis in the coming phase.
Iraqi Minister of Reconstruction Bangin Rekani said Wednesday that no deadline has been set for the remittance of September salaries to the Kurdistan Region, noting that some issues remain unresolved.
A boat carrying nearly 60 migrants sank in the Aegean Sea on Wednesday, leaving three people dead while 56 others were rescued, according to Greek media reports.
The Independent High Election Commission (IHEC) says it will announce the preliminary results of Iraq’s parliamentary elections today, with a turnout of around 55 percent nationwide.