Lead:
Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi issued directives Saturday to terminate three commercial contracts at Mosul International Airport, citing connections to armed militias. The affected companies—Sky Plus (airport counter rental), Sama Airport (indoor parking lot rental), and Al-Faisal Al-Shammakh (taxi office rental)—will be replaced by international firms. Al-Zaidi's action signals a hardening stance on removing militia influence from Iraq's critical infrastructure.
Details:
According to Al-Annahar's Iraq politics report, Al-Zaidi specifically ordered the cancellation of the Sky Plus contract for renting airport counters, citing the company's ties to armed actors. The same reasoning prompted termination of the parking and taxi office agreements at the same facility.
The directives do not specify which armed groups allegedly maintained relationships with the three firms, nor do they indicate whether investigations preceded the cancellations. International firms are expected to assume these concessions, though no timeline or bidding process has been disclosed.
The move reflects Baghdad's formal effort to sever business relationships that may have enriched or strengthened armed organizations outside state control. Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city, remained under ISIS occupation until 2017 and has experienced substantial flux in governance and security since its liberation. Airport contracts represent revenue streams and operational control points of strategic value.
Watch For:
— Whether the replacements by international companies proceed without delay or legal challenge from displaced contractors.
— Whether similar audits extend to other critical infrastructure contracts at airports or ports nationwide.
— Any statement from the affected companies or their alleged militia backers responding to the cancellations.