Iraq monitoring social media amid regional tensions
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's National Security Service said on Saturday it is monitoring social media and will pursue legal action against any users posting content to incite sectarian and political tensions.
'In light of the repercussions of the current international crisis and the attempts witnessed in the Iraqi arena to mislead public opinion and harm civil and societal peace, the Iraqi National Security Service affirms its careful monitoring of content published on social media sites that aims to incite strife and sectarian and political tensions, distort facts, and falsify realities,' the agency said in a statement.
'Freedom of expression does not mean exceeding legal controls or compromising national security,' it said, adding that legal action will be taken against those threatening 'societal peace' or undermining 'the unity of Iraq.'
Tensions in Iraq, a close ally of Iran, are high with the conflict between Iran and Israel now in its second week.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Iraq Business
3 hours ago
- Iraq Business
New Scheme offers Iraqis Affordable Building Materials
By John Lee. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani inaugurated the new 'Construction Basket' initiative on Wednesday, an innovative programme designed to provide citizens with access to building materials at competitive prices and on convenient instalment terms. The centre, located at the newly-opened Cooperation Center for Construction , is a joint venture between the Ministry of Commerce's General Company for Trading in Construction Materials and the private sector. In his remarks, Al-Sudani praised the Ministry's efforts and underlined the significance of promoting locally made products, reaffirming that "Made in Iraq" is a strategic direction to revitalise national industry. He highlighted that Iraq's construction sector is undergoing a major transformation across government, institutional, and investment-driven projects. Key highlights of the Prime Minister's announcement include: Targeted support for retirees, families on the social protection network, relatives of martyrs, and employees. A directive to establish a mechanism linking loans and construction permits with access to subsidised construction materials. An emphasis on using cooperative models to regulate material prices through public-private collaboration-similar to the earlier food-focused Hypermarket initiative. Availability of building materials that meet Iraqi standard specifications at reduced prices. Approval of investment permits for around one million residential units, alongside initiatives through the Housing Fund and Real Estate Bank. Prioritisation of industrial zones and investment facilitation for private sector-led manufacturing projects. Ongoing coordination with the Union of Industries and the Union of Contractors. A commitment to expanding the initiative, starting with Nineveh and Basra governorates. Al-Sudani reaffirmed the government's stance that the private sector is a critical partner in satisfying domestic market demand and creating employment for Iraqi youth. (Source: Media Office of the Prime Minister) Tags: Basra News, building materials, cg, Construction Basket initiative, Cooperation Center for Construction, Economic Development, featured, General Company for Trading in Construction Materials, Housing, Loans, MSMEs, Nineveh, private sector
Shafaq News
4 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Kurdish lawmaker: Salary crisis nearing resolution as Baghdad–Erbil deal advances
Shafaq News – al-Sulaymaniyah Former Iraqi parliamentarian Ala Talabani said on Sunday that the long-running salary crisis in the Kurdistan Region stems from both political tensions and a nationwide liquidity crunch, but emphasized that a breakthrough agreement between Baghdad and Erbil is now within reach. Speaking at a press conference, Talabani, a senior figure in the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), said the dispute over civil servant salaries in the Region has clear political dimensions in addition to being tied to Iraq's worsening cash flow problems. 'The economic situation in Iraq is under tremendous strain due to US sanctions,' she noted, adding that the liquidity crisis has even affected the federal government's ability to pay salaries for the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). She confirmed that negotiations between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the federal government are ongoing, with senior officials holding regular meetings aimed at implementing the federal budget law and rulings from the Federal Supreme Court. 'The salary delays have caused serious harm to citizens and worsened their living conditions,' Talabani said. With parliamentary elections approaching, she warned against politicizing the salary issue for electoral gain. 'This file must not become a political tool,' she stated, while expressing cautious optimism. 'I believe an agreement between Erbil and Baghdad is imminent—there is no viable alternative.' Talabani voiced support for salary domicilization—a system that would require government employees in the Kurdistan Region to receive their wages via bank transfers under federal oversight—but noted that it remains unclear whether both major Kurdish parties, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the PUK, support the measure. 'According to the Federal Court's ruling, the agreement must be implemented and salaries should be paid monthly through domicilization,' she said. She concluded by emphasizing that the only viable solution lies in a formal agreement between Baghdad and Erbil, warning that continued delays would deepen public hardship. 'This issue must be resolved within a legal and constitutional framework—away from political maneuvering,' she said. Earlier in the day, PUK leader Ziyad Jabbar told Shafaq News that his party supports any deal that could resolve the salary crisis. He attributed the prolonged impasse to the lack of a clear and binding agreement between the two governments.
Shafaq News
4 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Syria restricts Iraqi nationals entry
Shafaq News – Damascus Syrian authorities announced on Sunday that only four categories of Iraqi nationals are permitted to enter Syria, citing a policy of 'reciprocity.' According to a statement from the Iraqi Embassy in Damascus, the decision was reached in coordination with the Syrian border authority, Iraq's al-Qa'im border crossing administration, and Fly Cham Airlines. The approved categories include: Iraqi nationals residing in Syria with valid residency permits; Iraqi men married to Syrian women, provided they present a marriage certificate authenticated by either the Syrian Foreign Ministry and the Iraqi Embassy in Damascus, or by Iraq's Foreign Ministry if issued by Iraqi courts; Iraqi women married to Syrian men, with a similarly certified marriage contract; and Iraqi nationals born to Syrian mothers, upon submission of supporting documents.
