Al-Asadi: Conscription Law Will Burden 2026 Budget; Priority Goes to Localizing Military Industries and Tackling Corruption

 Hassan Waryoush al-Asadi, head of the Al-Nahj Al-Watani bloc, emphasized during a press conference today that the Iraqi constitution does not explicitly mandate conscription, requiring legislative caution regarding the "National Service" file. The bloc presented an alternative vision based on four pillars: tackling corruption in security institutions, developing air defenses and localizing military industries, enhancing digital security capabilities, and training fighters according to international standards. Al-Asadi called on the incoming government to be formed to adopt a comprehensive reform program that moves away from traditional solutions and responds to the nature of modern threats facing the country in 2026.