National shutdown
The Iraqi Government ordered the suspension of Internet services on the morning of 24 May 2026, between 6:00 and 7:30 local time (+3 UTC). This is the second of a series of expected shutdowns during the public school exams. This series covers the first round of the Iraq Middle School Exam Schedule, which runs until 14 June 2026.
- Total Duration 1 hour
Iraq
- Population
- 46,042,015
Freedom House rates Internet freedom as Partly Free
Related documentation
Local media reported that the Ministry of Communications in Iraq announced on 19 May that it will suspend Internet access during the examinations. The shutdown is expected to run for an hour and a half on exam days, between 6:00 and 7:30 local time (+3 UTC).
In a video message, Minister Mustafa Sanad, Iraq's Minister of Communication, confirmed the shutdown and vowed to develop a digital system that would eliminate the need for centralized exam distribution and, by extension, the need to shut down Internet access on exam days.
Other supporting information
Cloudflare Radar and IODA data showing the shutdown affecting Iraqi networks.
