Tensions between Erbil and Baghdad deepened as Iraq’s National Security Advisor, Qasim al-Aaraji, visited Erbil to hold high-level talks. His trip comes during heightened disputes over financial entitlements, governance, and constitutional guarantees concerning the Kurdistan Region.
Al-Aaraji met with Rebar Ahmed, the Kurdistan Region’s Minister of Interior, to address security cooperation and the unresolved financial crisis. Kurdish officials insist Baghdad continues to delay payments while ignoring key constitutional commitments.
Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Hoshyar Zebari criticized the federal government for using meetings and technical discussions as tactics to avoid real decisions. He stressed that the Iraqi Prime Minister already holds full power to authorize payments to the Kurdistan Region.
In addition, Ashwaq Jaf from the KDP Central Committee accused Baghdad of undermining the Kurdistan Region’s legal status. She claimed that the central government avoids fulfilling financial responsibilities by using misleading legal arguments. Jaf described this strategy as a political campaign aimed at weakening the Kurdistan Region.
She argued that Baghdad’s refusal to send public salaries to Kurdistan resembles a modern form of the Anfal campaign. Jaf insisted that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) had met all commitments, while Baghdad continues to stall.
Meanwhile, the U.S. government called for calm and renewed dialogue. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce emphasized that both sides must return to talks. She underlined that resolving the salary dispute could improve Iraq’s economic climate and attract global investors.
Bruce stated that financial clarity and cooperation would send a positive message to the international business community. She cited energy projects, like the Iraq-Turkey pipeline, as examples of initiatives delayed by political conflict.
She also affirmed that both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region remain essential to the U.S. strategy for peace and development in the Middle East.
Al-Aaraji’s visit to Erbil underscored the urgency of resolving long-standing issues between Baghdad and Kurdistan. With political pressure mounting, both sides face growing demands to settle their differences and respect Kurdistan’s financial rights.