Iraqi Militias Internal Turmoil Drives Destabilization Tactics Against KRG
One such tactic is the exportation of their conflicts and destabilizing activities into the Kurdistan Region, aiming to distort narratives and divert both public and international attention.
Feb. 9, 2025
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The visit of Yousif al-Kilaby to the hunger strikers’ tents in Sulaimani has raised concerns about potential plots to destabilize the Kurdistan Region. This visit comes amid ongoing teacher strikes in Sulaimani, driven by frustrations over delayed salaries and financial entitlements—an issue repeatedly exacerbated by Baghdad’s budgetary decisions and political maneuvering.
The backdrop to this unrest includes significant agreements between Erbil and Baghdad, particularly concerning amendments to the Budget Law and the resumption of Kurdistan’s oil exports.
However, certain political factions within the federal government, along with militia groups aligned with them, appear intent on undermining these agreements.
Al-Kilaby’s statement on his official X account further fueled tensions, as he questioned the fairness of the budget law’s implementation, alleging that Kurdistan was receiving unlawful financial benefits.
Oil Revenue Disputes and Baghdad-Erbil Relations
One of the key factors driving the political maneuvering in Baghdad, as well as the militia groups’ attempts to exploit the teachers' rightful demonstrations—which should primarily highlight Baghdad’s persistent neglect of the Kurdistan Region’s citizens—is the recent high-stakes agreement on amendments to the Budget Law and the resumption of the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) oil exports.
In a landmark decision, the Iraqi Parliament recently approved an amendment to the federal budget law, facilitating the resumption of Kurdistan Region’s oil exports.
The legislative session saw broad support for the amendment, particularly for Article 12, which establishes a framework for Kurdistan Region oil export through Iraq – turkey pipelines, handled by the State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO).
Under this arrangement, Kurdistan is required to supply 400,000 barrels of oil per day, while Baghdad is obligated to meet its financial commitments to the region.
Following the approval of the law amendment in the parliament, Sipan Sherwani, a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) parliamentary bloc, told Kurdistan 24 that the amendment eliminates legal barriers hindering Kurdistan’s ability to export oil.
The agreement is seen as a step towards greater financial stability, yet political forces opposed to the Kurdistan Region’s constitutional rights continue to challenge its implementation.
The U.S. and Iraq’s Struggle to Rein in Militias
Another key factor driving militia groups' plots to destabilize the Kurdistan Region is the mounting pressure to disarm and dismantle them, coupled with renewed calls from U.S. lawmakers to designate certain Iraqi militias as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).
Amid these economic and political instabilities in Baghdad, the U.S. has intensified pressure on the Iraqi government to disband militia groups operating outside state control.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has sought to assert state authority over armed factions, yet resistance from these groups complicates the security landscape.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein recently emphasized that military decisions must remain under state authority and that negotiations with militias regarding disarmament are ongoing.
Hussein also reaffirmed Iraq’s sovereignty, rejecting external interference in resolving the issue. This stance was reiterated following Prime Minister al-Sudani’s visit to Tehran, where the need for Baghdad to handle security matters independently, conveyed.
Failure to dismantle these militias would not only undermine Iraq’s sovereignty but also pose risks for the federal government’s credibility on the international stage.
Militia groups, facing mounting pressure, have responded by attempting to deflect attention from Iraq’s internal instability, often by instigating crises elsewhere—including the Kurdistan Region.
Additionally, a group of U.S. lawmakers called on the Trump administration to sanction Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, citing threats to U.S. forces and regional stability.
In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz on Jan. 28, 2025, the legislators pushed for sanctions and the designation of these groups as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).
The letter highlights the growing influence of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Iraq’s security forces, with militias integrated into key government institutions.
The letter points to figures like Qasim al-Araji, Iraq’s National Security Adviser and former commander of the Badr Corps, as evidence of Iran’s entrenched presence.
According to the letter, since 2014, the U.S. has provided over $7.9 billion for counter-ISIS programs and $3.5 billion in humanitarian aid. However, US lawmakers argue much of this indirectly benefited Iranian-backed militias, undermining American interests.
The U.S. lawmakers proposed policy actions include:
- Designating Iranian-backed militias such as the Abu Fadl al-Abbas Brigades, Badr Organization, Fatemiyoun Brigade, Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, Kata’ib al-Imam Ali, Kata’ib Jund al-Imam, Kata’ib Sayyad al-Shuhada, Sarayya al-Jihad, Sarayya Khorasani, Zainabiyoun Brigade as FTOs.
- Imposing sanctions on key Iran-aligned groups such as Abu Fadl al-Abbas Brigades, Badr Organization, Kata’ib al-Imam Ali, Kata’ib Jund al-Imam, Sarayya al-Jihad, Sarayya Khorasani under Executive Order 13224.
- Halting U.S. security aid to Iraq until Baghdad severs ties with Iranian-backed groups.
Strikes and Economic Hardships in the Kurdistan Region
The financial strain on public employees in the Kurdistan Region remains a major point of contention. Salaries have been delayed due to budgetary disputes with Baghdad, fueling widespread discontent.
Kurdish political leaders argue that these financial difficulties stem from Baghdad’s repeated failure to honor budget agreements, withholding funds that are crucial for maintaining essential services and public sector salaries.
Political Exploitation and Calls for Unity
Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw strongly criticized efforts to distort the public discourse surrounding the ongoing financial crisis in the Kurdistan Region, stating that Baghdad is responsible for the economic hardships affecting public sector employees and teachers.
In a press conference on Sunday, Khoshnaw emphasized that while many in Kurdistan are struggling under financial strain, the root cause of this dissatisfaction lies in Baghdad’s oppressive policies, not the KRG.
He accused certain political actors of deliberately manipulating the situation to create instability, particularly ahead of the Iraqi elections.
The governor stressed that those who advocate for halting the KRG’s financial entitlements and budget allocations are the same individuals orchestrating protests in Sulaimani.
“They talk about democracy while actively working to undermine Kurdistan’s democratic experience,” Khoshnaw said, accusing these actors of “shedding crocodile tears while exploiting public grievances for political gain.”
He further rejected claims that the protests reflect a broad movement against the KRG, pointing to the October 20 election results as proof of public support for the government.
He argued that “some political factions are attempting to weaponize hunger strikes as a political tool in the lead-up to the next Iraqi elections.”
Khoshnaw also warned against external interference, revealing that busloads of non-Kurdistan Region residents had attempted to enter Erbil under the guise of joining demonstrations.
“These individuals are neither KRG employees nor citizens of the Kurdistan Region, yet they are falsely claiming to represent the grievances of our people,” he said.
The governor made it clear that while KRG employees have every right to voice their concerns, external actors will not be allowed to hijack these protests to serve their own agendas.
“We reject any attempt to import external political conflicts into Kurdistan,” he added, reaffirming the KRG’s commitment to addressing the economic concerns of its citizens while resisting efforts to destabilize the region.
Conclusion
Militias and armed groups in Iraq are facing increasing pressure as the U.S. government intensifies its efforts to disarm and dismantle them. This crackdown has heightened instability within these groups, as many struggles to maintain cohesion under mounting scrutiny.
Prominent Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr previously underscored the urgency of this issue, declaring, "No to uncontrolled weapons and uncontrolled groups."
As these militias grapple with internal rifts and declining influence, they are resorting to defensive strategies that shift the focus away from their internal turmoil.
One such tactic is the exportation of their conflicts and destabilizing activities into the Kurdistan Region, aiming to distort narratives and divert both public and international attention.
By externalizing their struggles, these groups seek to maintain relevance while undermining the security and stability of the Kurdistan Region.
Written by Dr. Kamaran Aziz, and edited by Dler Mohammed.
