Korek Telecom offices face closures in three additional Iraqi governorates after the Communications and Media Commission (CMC) expanded its campaign against the telecommunications operator on Sunday.
The latest action affects Kirkuk, Nineveh and Salah al-Din, bringing to eight the number of governorates where authorities have closed Korek premises. The commission said its northern office coordinated with the National Security Service during inspections that targeted company headquarters and customer service locations.
In Kirkuk, authorities closed offices in the Almas area, Jumhuriya Street and Governorate Street. Meanwhile, inspections in Nineveh covered several locations across Mosul, including al-Noor, al-Majmoua al-Thaqafiya and Sumer on the city’s left bank. Teams also visited New Mosul and Dawasa on the right bank. Local commission offices will continue working with security agencies to monitor the situation.
The campaign began in Baghdad on August 20. At the time, the CMC and the National Security Service closed Korek’s headquarters in Jadriya along with three sales centers.
However, the dispute quickly moved into Iraq’s courts. Three days later, the Rusafa Court of First Instance suspended the regulator’s decisions. The commission later said the court cancelled that suspension on August 24 following an appeal from Korek executive chairman Baligh Abu Galal.
Afterward, authorities extended closures to other governorates. The measures affected Korek facilities in Karbala, Najaf, Diwaniyah and Babil, including a company center at Najaf International Airport.
The wider dispute centers on Korek’s financial obligations and its 2007 mobile license. On August 9, the CMC announced plans to shut down Korek’s network and place liens on its assets after cancelling a settlement agreement. It also warned subscribers against recharging their balances or purchasing additional services, while advising them to retain their SIM cards.
According to the commission, Korek still owes $375 million connected to the 2007 mobile license auction. Korek disputes the claim, arguing that payment depended on transferring the former Iraqna subscriber base, which the company says never occurred.
Furthermore, the regulator said in April that Korek owed around 1.4 trillion Iraqi dinars, equivalent to about $1.06 billion at the official exchange rate, under a September 2025 settlement.
The CMC cancelled that settlement in June. However, Korek has challenged the decision, saying a committee established through the prime minister’s office negotiated the agreement. The company also argues that the settlement partly depended on receiving a 4G license.
As the dispute continues, Korek has asked Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi to intervene. Meanwhile, Korek Telecom offices face closures across more parts of Iraq as the regulator and company remain locked in a dispute over financial obligations, licensing and regulatory decisions.
The expansion of the closures could further affect the company’s operations and customers, while authorities continue reviewing Korek’s facilities and financial commitments. For now, Korek Telecom offices face closures as the dispute remains unresolved.
