Iraq's trade ministry released a statement on Saturday that the country has only 190,000 tonnes of rice available in its coffers for its food rationing programme.&nbsp;

To support the programme, Iraq's trade ministry needs around 1-1.25 million tonnes of rice per year.&nbsp;

In March, the ministry asked for money from state's budget to build a stockpile of rice and wheat that will supply for at least three months as coronavirus continues to wreak havoc in the country.&nbsp;

On Saturday, Iraq's trade ministry pleaded for more funds by saying that allocations were crucial despite problems in the budget. Iraq's budget has been affected because many of its citizens are "struggling to provide their daily food due to tough economic conditions amid the coronavirus crisis".

The middle eastern country has been a major buyer of wheat and rice, was under a political gridlock after former Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi was ousted by nationwide anti-corruption protests, hampering efforts to get a state budget approved before the start of the calendar year.

Iraq's grain board, which comes under the trade ministry, holds regular international tenders to import wheat and rice for the rationing programme, which also covers cooking oil, flour and sugar.

(Inputs from Agency)

Iraq's trade ministry released a statement on Saturday that the country has only 190,000 tonnes of rice available in its coffers for its food rationing programme.

Iraq's trade ministry released a statement on Saturday that the country has only 190,000 tonnes of rice available in its coffers for its food rationing programme. To support the programme, Iraq's trade ministry needs around 1-1.25 million tonnes of rice per year. In March, the ministry asked for money from state's budget to build a stockpile of rice and wheat that will supply for at least three months as coronavirus continues to wreak havoc in the country. On Saturday, Iraq's trade ministry pleaded for more funds by saying that allocations were crucial despite problems in the budget. Iraq's budget has been affected because many of its citizens are "struggling to provide their daily food due to tough economic conditions amid the coronavirus crisis". The middle eastern country has been a major buyer of wheat and rice, was under a political gridlock after former Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi was ousted by nationwide anti-corruption protests, hampering efforts to get a state budget approved before the start of the calendar year. Iraq's grain board, which comes under the trade ministry, holds regular international tenders to import wheat and rice for the rationing programme, which also covers cooking oil, flour and sugar. (Inputs from Agency)

Only 190,000 tonnes of rice left in the country for food programme: Iraq's trade ministry

Islamic State group remnants in Iraq are exploiting a coronavirus lockdown, coalition troop withdrawals and simmering political disputes to ramp up deadly attacks, according to analysts and intelligence officials.

The bloodiest so far was an ambush early Saturday that killed 10 Iraqi fighters north of Baghdad that observers say demonstrated a new escalation in the jihadist group's tactics but one that could still be contained.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-says-coronavirus-vaccine-must-be-shared-worldwide-296424" hreflang="en">Pope says coronavirus vaccine must be shared worldwide</a>

Iraq declared IS defeated in late 2017 but sleeper cells have survived in remote northern and western areas, where security gaps mean the group wages occasional attacks.

They have spiked since early April as jihadists plant explosives, fire on police patrols and launch mortars and rockets at villages, local security sources told AFP.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-will-have-coronavirus-vaccine-by-end-of-year-says-trump-296461" hreflang="en">US will have coronavirus vaccine by end of year, says Trump</a>

"Combat operations have reached a level we haven't seen in a while," said Iraqi security expert Hisham al-Hashemi.

He said IS fighters were using abandoned villages to edge towards urban areas, looking to re-establish funding mechanisms, smuggling routes and hideouts while targeting local infrastructure and officials to cause panic.

Days before early Saturday's ambush -- which was multi-pronged and took place in Salahaddin province -- the jihadists claimed a suicide attack that wounded four people outside an intelligence headquarters in Kirkuk, a restive northern province.

An intelligence officer there said IS had tripled its attacks in Kirkuk in April compared to March.

In part, the escalation may be linked to security units being redeployed to enforce a nationwide lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus, which has infected more than 2,000 people and killed over 90 in Iraq.&nbsp;

The jihadists could also be exploiting the political deadlock in Baghdad, where top leaders are focused on tense talks over a new government, the consequences of a collapse in global oil prices and budget disputes with autonomous Kurdish authorities. &nbsp;

Islamic State group remnants in Iraq are exploiting a coronavirus lockdown, coalition troop withdrawals and simmering political disputes to ramp up deadly attacks, according to analysts and intelligence officials.

Islamic State group remnants in Iraq are exploiting a coronavirus lockdown, coalition troop withdrawals and simmering political disputes to ramp up deadly attacks, according to analysts and intelligence officials. The bloodiest so far was an ambush early Saturday that killed 10 Iraqi fighters north of Baghdad that observers say demonstrated a new escalation in the jihadist group's tactics but one that could still be contained. Also read: Pope says coronavirus vaccine must be shared worldwide Iraq declared IS defeated in late 2017 but sleeper cells have survived in remote northern and western areas, where security gaps mean the group wages occasional attacks. They have spiked since early April as jihadists plant explosives, fire on police patrols and launch mortars and rockets at villages, local security sources told AFP. Also read: US will have coronavirus vaccine by end of year, says Trump "Combat operations have reached a level we haven't seen in a while," said Iraqi security expert Hisham al-Hashemi. He said IS fighters were using abandoned villages to edge towards urban areas, looking to re-establish funding mechanisms, smuggling routes and hideouts while targeting local infrastructure and officials to cause panic. Days before early Saturday's ambush -- which was multi-pronged and took place in Salahaddin province -- the jihadists claimed a suicide attack that wounded four people outside an intelligence headquarters in Kirkuk, a restive northern province. An intelligence officer there said IS had tripled its attacks in Kirkuk in April compared to March. In part, the escalation may be linked to security units being redeployed to enforce a nationwide lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus, which has infected more than 2,000 people and killed over 90 in Iraq. The jihadists could also be exploiting the political deadlock in Baghdad, where top leaders are focused on tense talks over a new government, the consequences of a collapse in global oil prices and budget disputes with autonomous Kurdish authorities.

Islamic State exploits virus, political crisis to boost Iraq attacks

coronavirus-in-iraq

Coronavirus In Iraq, News on Coronavirus In Iraq, stories on Coronavirus In Iraq, articles on Coronavirus In Iraq, Coronavirus In Iraq stories at Wion, Coronavirus In Iraq news, Coronavirus In Iraq latest news

coronavirus in-iraq

Only 190,000 tonnes of rice left in the country for food programme: Iraq's trade ministry

Islamic State exploits virus, political crisis to boost Iraq attacks