KDP Official: Baghdad Deliberately Manufacturing Crises Ahead of Eid
Dr. Kamal Kirkuki accuses Baghdad of "oppressive policy" in halting Kurdistan salaries, calling it unconstitutional political pressure. Vows Kurdish resilience against coercion.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Dr. Kamal Kirkuki, Head of Public Relations for the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), accused Baghdad of deliberately creating crises for the Kurdistan Region, describing the federal government's salary freeze as part of a broader oppressive political strategy.
Dr. Kirkuki declared that the Kurdish people are facing a “new oppressive policy” as the Iraqi Federal Ministry of Finance arbitrarily suspended the salaries of Kurdistan Region public employees just days ahead of the Eid holiday.
In his June 6 statement, Kirkuki said the move is “a deliberate step to create confusion and instability,” rooted not in administrative necessity but in a political agenda aimed at distracting from Iraq’s chronic failures in governance, public services, and anti-corruption efforts.
“Rather than returning to the constitution, lawful mechanisms, and institutional dialogue to resolve disputes,” Kirkuki noted, “Baghdad is again reverting to crisis-manufacturing politics, undermining federalism and trust.”
Constitutional Violations and Legal Breaches
According to Kirkuki, Baghdad's recent actions represent a “blatant and clear constitutional breach.” He emphasized that Iraq’s constitution and federal budget law make no provision for cutting off employee salaries as a punitive measure. Instead, both laws stress institutional coordination and expert committees for resolving disagreements between Erbil and Baghdad.
Kirkuki added, “The statements issued by the Ministry of Finance lack any legal or accounting justification, and do not provide a constitutional basis for depriving the people of Kurdistan of their rightful financial entitlements.”
Defiance in the Face of Pressure
Reflecting on the historical resilience of the Kurdish people, Kirkuki asserted that Kurdistan has consistently overcome oppression, from the horrors of chemical attacks to the Anfal genocide, and from economic embargoes to internal and external destabilization attempts.
“Kurdistan’s people have stood firm through the darkest of times. They have never bowed to tyranny,” he stated. “From pain they have forged will, and from injustice, they have shaped endurance.”
A Warning Against Escalation
Kirkuki warned that such tactics from Baghdad are not only harmful but self-defeating. “Each time our enemies have tried to crush the Kurdish people, their plans have collapsed upon the mountains of Kurdistan. Their repression has ultimately been their disgrace,” he said.
He concluded by reaffirming that the KDP and the people of Kurdistan will continue to pursue their rights through legal, constitutional, and peaceful means—and will not succumb to financial blackmail or political coercion.