ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The State Administration Coalition, Iraq’s ruling political alliance, on Sunday held a periodic meeting that focused on Islamic State (ISIS) transfers, US-Iran talks and economic reforms, according to a statement from the premier’s office.
The meeting was hosted by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and was attended by outgoing Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid, current Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi, and leaders of political blocs and movements within the coalition.
According to the statement, participants discussed “a number of strategic files at the local, regional, and international levels,” including the issue of ISIS prisoners transferred from Syria to Iraq. The coalition called on the international community to “bear its responsibilities in supporting Iraq in this file,” urging countries whose nationals are among the detainees to take them back and prosecute them.
As of Friday, Iraq has transferred 2,250 jailed ISIS militants into the country by air and land as part of an ongoing operation coordinated with the US-led international coalition, Iraqi Security Media Cell spokesperson Saad Maan told Rudaw on Saturday.
The discussions come amid warnings from local officials in Iraq’s western Nineveh and Anbar provinces of renewed ISIS activity following two recent suicide attacks. Iraqi officials have voiced concern that the group is exploiting security gaps in Syria after prison breaks involving ISIS detainees during clashes in January between Damascus-affiliated armed groups and Kurdish-led forces.
The coalition also expressed “welcome and full support” for ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran, hosted by Oman, calling for serious dialogue to prevent further regional escalation.
Indirect US-Iran talks were held on Friday against a backdrop of rising tensions over Iran’s nuclear program. Earlier this week, Iran-linked armed vessels attempted to intercept a US-flagged oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, and a US warplane separately shot down an Iranian drone over the Arabian Sea.
The coalition statement said it “rejects the threats directed at” Iran in a manner that contradicts international norms and conventions.
On the domestic front, the coalition discussed the country’s financial situation and stressed the need to support government measures aimed at strengthening economic reforms, controlling border crossings, curbing smuggling, and reducing tax and customs evasion. It also emphasized the importance of reform plans to protect local products, develop national industry, diversify income sources, and reduce dependence on oil.
The meeting took place as Baghdad’s main commercial districts were largely shut down on Sunday after wholesale traders went on strike to protest newly imposed customs tariffs on imported goods. The tariffs, which range from 5 percent to 30 percent, took effect on January 1.
The government has defended the measures as part of broader efforts to reduce public debt, curb reliance on oil revenues amid falling global prices, and combat corruption. Merchants, however, warn that the tariffs could fuel inflation and increase pressure on household incomes.