Iraq's 'Operation Dawn' recovers over 390 billion dinars in cash, half a ton of gold

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Iraq Economic Observatory said on August 9, 2026 that cash recovered by the state under "Operation Dawn" has reached approximately 390.08 billion Iraqi dinars, equivalent to about $141 million converted at the prevailing exchange rate. The observatory added that the total rises to roughly 482.6 billion dinars once approximately half a ton of recovered gold, valued at 185,000 dinars per gram, is included. According to the observatory, the recovered amount exceeds the monthly salary expenditures of the ministries of transport, environment, migration and displaced persons, and oil, and is roughly equal to one month's payroll for the Foreign Ministry and its diplomatic staff. The sum also represents about half of the Kurdistan Region's monthly share of the federal budget, which covers public-sector salaries in the region. Eico Iraq, which said it supports efforts to recover public funds, called for continued transparency over the recovered assets and for their fate to be disclosed to the public.