500 Drones Launched From Iraq Toward Saudi Arabia — Region on Edge

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Iraq Becomes Drone War Battlefield as Iran-Backed Militias Strike Gulf States. Five Hundred drone attacks from Iraqi territory hit Saudi Arabia and beyond, raising fears of a hidden regional war spiraling out of control By Dr. Pshtiwan Faraj, SULAIMANI,   Kurdish Policy Analysis , April 21--  Iraqi militia groups close to Iran have fired dozens of drones at Saudi Arabia and the Gulf countries during the war; This has created a “silent” war in the midst of the Great War. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, half of the 1,000 drone strikes against Saudi Arabia were from within Iraqi territory. The report cited a Saudi security assessment that said the attacks targeted sensitive positions, including the Yanbu refinery on the Red Sea and oil fields in eastern Saudi Arabia. The report said the drones hit not only Saudi Arabia, but also Kuwait's only civilian airport. Even after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire earlier this...
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When gold surges like this… something bigger is coming in Iraq

Baghdad and Erbil see rising gold prices as demand and global trends push rates higher

ERBIL, April 11 (Kurdish Policy Analysis)

Gold prices in Iraq remained on an upward trajectory on Saturday, hovering around 1.03 million Iraqi dinars per mithqal in both Baghdad and Erbil markets, reflecting continued demand amid economic uncertainty.

A market survey by Shafaq News Agency showed that gold prices rose across key trading hubs, with Baghdad’s main bullion market on Al-Nahr Street recording notable gains compared to earlier in the week.

BAGHDAD MARKETS EDGE HIGHER

In Baghdad, the selling price for 21-carat gold—covering Gulf, Turkish, and European imports—reached:

  • 1,024,000 IQD per mithqal (5 grams) selling price
  • 1,020,000 IQD buying price

This marks an increase from 1,014,000 IQD recorded on Thursday, signaling steady upward momentum.

Meanwhile, locally produced 21-carat Iraqi gold traded slightly lower:

  • 994,000 IQD selling price
  • 990,000 IQD buying price

Retail jewelry stores reported even higher price bands, with Gulf gold ranging between:

  • 1,025,000 – 1,035,000 IQD per mithqal

Iraqi gold in retail markets ranged between:

  • 995,000 – 1,005,000 IQD

ERBIL PRICES FOLLOW SAME TREND

In Erbil, gold prices mirrored Baghdad’s upward movement, with higher purity levels commanding premium rates:

  • 22-carat gold: 1,079,000 IQD per mithqal
  • 21-carat gold: 1,030,000 IQD
  • 18-carat gold: 883,000 IQD

The consistency across both cities suggests a nationwide pricing trend influenced by global gold markets and local currency dynamics.

MARKET DRIVERS

Traders attribute the price rise to several overlapping factors:

  • Global gold strength, driven by economic uncertainty and safe-haven demand
  • Exchange rate fluctuations affecting import costs
  • Local demand, particularly for jewelry and savings amid inflation concerns

Gold remains a key store of value in Iraq, especially during periods of political and economic volatility.

OUTLOOK

With prices steadily climbing over recent days, market participants expect continued volatility in the short term. Any further movement in global gold benchmarks or shifts in the Iraqi dinar could quickly translate into higher local prices.

For now, the 1 million IQD threshold per mithqal appears to be holding—potentially setting a new baseline for Iraq’s gold market.

#Iraq #GoldPrices #Baghdad #Erbil #Economy #Inflation #Markets #IQD #MiddleEast


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