Baghdad / NINA/- Iraqi newspapers published in Baghdad on Monday, November 2, focused on efforts to develop the country's air defence systems, outstanding issues between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), and several other pressing matters, including the worsening environmental crisis described as a form of "slow death."

Al-Sabah newspaper, published by the Iraqi Media Network, reported that the legislative and executive authorities have placed the development of air defence systems and the upgrading of surveillance capabilities at the top of the country's defence priorities for the 2027 budget.

The initiative aims to strengthen Iraq's full sovereignty over its airspace and protect vital and economic infrastructure through a package of contracts and projects expected to be incorporated into the forthcoming budget, in coordination with the Parliamentary Security and Defence Committee.

In this regard, Ali Anheir, a member of the Parliamentary Security and Defence Committee, told the newspaper that the committee attaches considerable importance to strengthening the capabilities of the Iraqi armed forces.

He noted that the Ministry of Defence's priorities include reinforcing national sovereignty, rebuilding and upgrading the country's air defence capabilities, procuring unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and reconnaissance aircraft, and securing advanced air defence systems through allocations in the 2027 budget.

Anheir added that the government considers safeguarding Iraq's sovereignty a top priority, stressing that the air defence portfolio continues to receive sustained attention.

He also revealed that there is a clear direction towards proceeding with previously agreed contracts with Turkey concerning the procurement of air defence systems.

Furthermore, he indicated that the South Korean air defence system is expected to receive financial allocations in the near future.

Anheir stressed the importance of acquiring multi-layered air defence capabilities covering short-, medium- and long-range threats to secure Iraqi airspace and address evolving security challenges.


Al-Zaman newspaper focused on the outstanding issues between the federal government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), particularly financial and oil-related disputes.

The newspaper reported that a high-level federal government delegation held talks with Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in the city of Zakho to discuss unresolved financial and oil-related issues between Baghdad and Erbil, foremost among them the Region's share of the federal budget.

According to the newspaper, Barzani received a federal delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs Mohsen Al-Mandalawi. The delegation included the ministers of oil and electricity, the Director General of the North Oil Company, the Head of the Prime Minister's Advisory Commission, the Director of the State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO), as well as several senior officials and technical experts.

The meeting, held at the administration of the Zakho Independent Administration, focused on the nature of relations between Baghdad and Erbil, outstanding financial matters, particularly the Kurdistan Region's share of the federal budget, as well as oil-related issues and proposals for energy management.

Al-Zaman also highlighted Barzani's remarks reaffirming his government's commitment to implementing plans aimed at diversifying the regional economy and creating employment opportunities.

Speaking at the inauguration of an automobile company, Barzani said that developing the industrial sector was among the foremost priorities of his government's programme, with the aim of increasing domestic revenues and generating new job opportunities for young people.

Al-Zawraa newspaper, published by the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, focused on the issue of environmental pollution and warnings about its growing dangers.

In this regard, the newspaper highlighted a report issued by the Green Iraq Observatory, which expressed concern over the lack of clear and tangible government action to address major sources of pollution across the country, despite more than a month having passed since the Council of Representatives declared an environmental state of emergency.

The report noted that Parliament's announcement of measures to put an end to what it described as "slow death", including the formation of a specialised committee, was expected to mark the beginning of serious efforts to curb the country's worsening environmental deterioration.

However, it added that the passage of more than a month without the announcement of clear field measures or the disclosure of tangible results in addressing pollution sources raises questions about the seriousness of the government's response and whether the declared state of emergency has been translated into practical action plans on the ground.

According to the report, Iraq is not facing a single environmental challenge but rather multiple sources of pollution. These include emissions resulting from industrial and oil-related activities, indiscriminate waste burning, the discharge of contaminated water into rivers and other water bodies, as well as environmental violations that require continuous monitoring and deterrent measures.

The report stressed the need for effective government intervention, sustained environmental oversight and concrete measures to tackle the growing pollution crisis and protect public health and the environment./End




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