Baghdad: Today’s newspapers concentrated on Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani’s announcement of the Babylon, Capital of Iraq’s Industry project, along with Iraq’s approval of various countries recognizing the State of Palestine.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Sudani highlighted the need for an integrated vision connecting new cities with modern road networks linked to ring roads, focusing on essential infrastructure such as sewage stations and water networks.
A statement from the Prime Minister’s Media Office revealed that Al-Sudani chaired a meeting to advance the Ali Al-Wardi New City project, southeast of Baghdad. The meeting included the Minister of Construction and Housing, the head of the National Investment Commission, representatives from the Prime Minister’s Advisory Board and the New Cities Authority, and a delegation from ORA Real Estate Development Company. The project spans 61 million square meters and encompasses approximately 120,000 housing units in various phases, aiming
to address Baghdad’s housing crisis alongside Al-Fursan and Al-Nahrawan New City projects.
During the meeting, Al-Sudani emphasized overcoming challenges hindering the project’s progress, urging the immediate opening of the road linking al-Nahrawan and Ali Al-Wardi City, resolving land ownership issues, and ensuring proper planning for infrastructure and services in the new cities.
Moreover, newspapers highlighted Al-Sudani’s official launch of the Babylon, Capital of Iraq’s Industry project. During the inauguration, he declared that this initiative grants the province a new status as Iraq’s industrial capital, with 54 Iraqi factories now exporting to regional and international markets, bolstering national industry in Iraq’s economy. Al-Sudani noted a production boom in local industries, with national production covering a significant portion of domestic consumption, and revealed that the government has provided sovereign guarantees to the private sector for the first time in Iraq’s history.
Al-Sudani al
so pointed out potential integration between agriculture and industry in Babylon and emphasized a revival in the industrial sector, particularly in construction-related industries. He mentioned that non-oil revenues rose to 14% in 2024, with the government aiming to increase this to 20%. Al-Sudani initiated the executive phase of the Plastic Granules Plant project in Babylon, with a production capacity of 960 tons per day, the first of its kind in Iraq under private sector investment. He also inaugurated the Ampoules and Plastic Caps Plant and the Flexible Printing Plant, reinforcing Babylon’s role as Iraq’s industrial capital.
Meanwhile, Al-Zaman newspaper reported Iraq’s welcome of several countries’ recognition of the State of Palestine, a move celebrated by raising the Palestinian flag in Britain. Shia cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr expressed support for the recognition, particularly praising Spain’s role. The Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Hissein Brahim Taha, commended the recogn
itions from the UK, Canada, and Australia, urging other nations to support Palestine’s UN membership and end the Israeli occupation.
Internationally, reports covered mass demonstrations in Italy against perceived genocide in Gaza, coinciding with France and other countries recognizing Palestine at the UN. In Rome, over 20,000 demonstrators rallied, with similar protests in other Italian cities. French municipalities raised the Palestinian flag, celebrating Paris’ recognition of Palestine, despite internal opposition. This symbolic recognition has sparked division within France, with President Emmanuel Macron pushing for a two-state solution.