Iraq Welcomes Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement Between Syrian Government And SDF
Baghdad – INA The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed on Tuesday its welcome of reaching a comprehensive ceasefire agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and the understandings included in the agreement that provide for the integration of the institutions of the Autonomous Administration into the institutions of the Syrian state, in a way that contributes to enhancing stability and supporting the political solution process in Syria.
In a statement obtained by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the ministry said that “Iraq welcomed the conclusion of a comprehensive ceasefire agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and the understandings included in the agreement that stipulate the integration of the institutions of the Autonomous Administration into the institutions of the Syrian state, which contributes to strengthening stability and supporting the political solution process in Syria.”
The ministry stressed that “this agreement represents a positive step that reflects the importance of prioritizing the language of dialogue and understanding among all Syrian parties, in a manner that ensures the protection of the rights of all Syrian components and guarantees their fair participation in state institutions on the basis of citizenship and peaceful coexistence.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised “the response of the Syrian parties to the efforts exerted by the leaders of the Republic of Iraq, which helped create the appropriate conditions to reach this agreement, stemming from Iraq’s role in supporting the security and stability of the region and its constant keenness to support political solutions that spare peoples the horrors of conflict.”
It indicated that “the Republic of Iraq renews its firm position in support of Syria’s unity and independence, and its standing alongside the brotherly Syrian people in their aspirations for security, stability, and lasting peace.”
Sudanese: The Need To Maintain Market Stability And The General Income Of Citizens
Economy News – Baghdad Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani chaired a meeting of the Ministerial Council for the Economy on Tuesday, where the government’s approach to implementing measures to maximize revenues and reduce expenditures was finalized.
The council discussed the study submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is an integrated plan of procedures and figures that clarifies the Ministry’s localization and financial policy for the current year 2026.
The Council hosted the head of the advisory board in the Prime Minister’s office, who in turn presented a detailed study on the value of trade and imports from abroad, part of which was discussed by the relevant ministries, and observations and suggestions were put forward for its development.
The meeting witnessed a detailed discussion of the decisions to implement the customs tariff and its impact on maximizing revenues, in addition to examining the reality of the market and the requirements of domestic trade, and the effects that have occurred on it after the implementation of the measures taken, as well as discussing the recommendation of the Ministerial Council for the Economy (25511) regarding addressing the financial situation by reviewing the subsidy ratios for petroleum products.
The Prime Minister stressed the need to maintain market stability and the general income of citizens, to avoid harming the private sector, professions and small projects, and to implement decisions correctly, with careful monitoring of the impact of decisions every three months. https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=65289
Oil Falls On Possible US-Iran De-Escalation, Firm Dollar
Oil prices fell on Tuesday, easing for a second day, as market participants weighed the possibility of a de-escalation in U.S.-Iran tensions, while a firmer dollar placed greater downside pressure on prices.
Brent crude futures fell 39 cents, or 0.5%, at $65.91 per barrel at 0330 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was at $61.83 per barrel, down 31 cents, or 0.5%.
Iran and the U.S. are expected to resume nuclear talks on Friday in Turkey, officials from both sides told Reuters on Monday, and Trump warned that with big U.S. warships heading to Iran, bad things could happen if a deal was not reached.
“The sharp up-and-down moves in oil prices over the last few sessions look more like sentiment-driven trading rather than any major shift in fundamentals,” said Phillip Nova senior market analyst Priyanka Sachdeva. “After last week’s rally, markets quickly gave back gains as broader risk assets also turned volatile.”
“With no fresh escalation on the geopolitical front and macro data still mixed, oil clearly failed to hold onto gains.”
Weighing on prices further, the U.S. dollar index (.DXY), opens new tab hovered near a high of more than a week. A stronger greenback hurts demand for dollar-denominated crude from foreign buyers.
“The continued recovery in the US dollar yesterday, following President Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair, also exerted downward pressure on oil prices,” ING analysts said in a note.
On the trade front, Trump on Monday unveiled a deal with India that slashes U.S. tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from 50% in exchange for India halting Russian oil purchases and lowering trade barriers.
“Overnight, the US and India agreed on a trade deal … if we do see this happen, it will only lead to a further increase in the amount of Russian oil floating at sea,” the ING analysts said.
Trump announced the deal on social media following a call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that India had agreed to buy oil from the U.S. and possibly Venezuela.
Some analysts said they were expecting volatile price movements this month.
“Looking ahead into February, prices are likely to remain choppy and range-bound … (they) are expected to stay highly reactive to headlines and macro cues rather than a decisive trend, with risk skewed to the downside,” said Phillip Nova’s Sachdeva.
SOURCE: REUTERS https://ina.iq/en/economy/45221-oil-falls-on-possible-us-iran-de-escalation-firm-dollar.html
The Dollar Maintains Its Gains, Supported By Positive Data
The dollar maintained its gains during Tuesday’s trading, supported by strong economic data in the United States and expectations that the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy will continue for a longer period.
The dollar index, which measures the performance of the US currency against a basket of major currencies, stabilized after strong gains in previous sessions. At 3:19 PM Moscow time, the index stood at 97.6060 points, having risen 1.5% over two days.
The euro saw limited movement against the dollar, rising 0.12% to $1.1804, as investors awaited the European Central Bank’s decision.
Indicators of industrial activity in the United States showed the manufacturing sector returning to a growth trajectory.
The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) climbed to 52.6 last month, its highest level in more than three years, boosting confidence in the strength of the US economy at the start of the year.
https://ina.iq/en/economy/45232-the-dollar-maintains-its-gains-supported-by-positive-data.html
Dollar Shows Mixed Movement In Baghdad, Erbil
2026-02-03 Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil The US dollar opened Tuesday’s trading steady in Baghdad markets, while recording a 0.2% drop in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region.
According to a Shafaq News market survey, the dollar traded in Baghdad’s Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges at 149,000 dinars per 100 dollars, unchanged from yesterday’s closing session.
In Baghdad, exchange shops sold the dollar at 149,500 dinars and bought it at 148,500 dinars. In Erbil, selling prices dipped slightly to 148,650 dinars, with buying prices at 148,450 dinars.
https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Dollar-shows-mixed-movement-in-Baghdad-Erbil
Gold Prices Rise In Baghdad And Erbil Markets
2026-02-03 Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil On Tuesday, gold prices hovered around 1.05 million IQD per mithqal in Baghdad and Erbil markets, continuing their upward trend, according to a survey by Shafaq News Agency.
Gold prices on Baghdad’s Al-Nahr Street recorded a selling price of 1,035,000 IQD per mithqal (equivalent to five grams) for 21-carat gold, including Gulf, Turkish, and European varieties, with a buying price of 1,031,000 IQD. The same gold had sold for 970,000 IQD on Monday.
The selling price for 21-carat Iraqi gold stood at 1,005,000 IQD, with a buying price of 1,001,000 IQD.
In jewelry stores, the selling price per mithqal of 21-carat Gulf gold ranged between 1,035,000 and 1,045,000 IQD, while Iraqi gold sold for between 1,005,000 and 1,015,000 IQD.
In Erbil, 22-carat gold was sold at 1,123,000 IQD per mithqal, 21-carat gold at 1,072,000 IQD, and 18-carat gold at 918,000 IQD. https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Gold-prices-rise-in-Baghdad-and-Erbil-markets-8-0
