Demands for payment from tribes, militias stalling investment in Iraq
Economic projects in Iraq are facing major setbacks due to ongoing payment demands from tribes and armed groups.
BAGHDAD — Ashab al-Kahf, a pro-Iran militia in Iraq, issued a statement Oct. 27 calling upon all Iraqis to report any information they may have on the presence of investors or economic experts from countries considered Iran’s rivals — such as the United States, Britain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — in exchange for amounts ranging from $20,000 to $50,000.
Iraqi and foreign investors are facing demands for compensation from armed militias and tribes in Iraq, and most of them are opting for withdrawing from the projects out of fear of violent reprisal if they don't meet the demands. Over 6,000 projects have been placed on hold between 2008 and 2019.
In the latest development, the Malaysian Petronas oil company threatened to leave the Garraf oil field in Dhi Qar province Oct. 18 in the wake of tensions stemming from the behavior of tribal members living near the field.
Petronas isn’t the only company facing demands from parties, militias and tribes in Iraq. On Oct. 15, an unknown force raided a residential investment complex in Salahuddin province, detained workers for more than three hours and threatened to kill them if they resumed work.
