Iraqi Analyst Warns: Don’t Weaponize Salaries Against Kurdistan
Prominent analyst Abdullah al-Kanani calls for adherence to Iraq’s constitution to resolve Baghdad-KRG tensions, especially over oil. He warns against weaponizing salaries and urges unity, dialogue, and fair resource distribution across Iraq’s diverse communities.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Prominent Iraqi political analyst Abdullah al-Kanani has called for the urgent return to constitutional principles to resolve long-standing disputes between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), particularly over oil and gas governance. His remarks come amid renewed tensions following a recent energy agreement between the Kurdistan Region and the United States.
Speaking during an interview with Kurdistan24, al-Kanani underlined that adherence to the Iraqi constitution is essential for de-escalating political crises. “We must adhere to the constitution and understand what it says,” he stated. “The constitution clearly stipulates the implementation of the oil and gas law.”
Al-Kanani referenced the recently signed agreement between the Kurdistan Region and the U.S., emphasizing that the federal government in Baghdad must accept the deal in light of constitutional frameworks. “Matters are as clear as a blank page,” he noted. “It is unacceptable to take hostile stances against the citizens of Kurdistan.”
Warning Against Weaponizing Salaries
The analyst warned against the recurring practice of using public sector salaries in the Kurdistan Region as political leverage during disputes. “It is true that there may be political differences between Erbil and Baghdad,” he said, “but these issues should not impact the lives of citizens or lead to the cutting of their salaries.”
He continued, “These are citizens, just like any person in Baghdad, Maysan, Kirkuk, or Ramadi. They must not pay the price for disputes they have nothing to do with, nor should these policies rob them of their love for their country and push them away from it.”
Iraq’s Pluralism and the Call for Unity
Al-Kanani also highlighted Iraq’s multiethnic and multireligious composition, cautioning against policies that marginalize any community. “Iraq is a country composed of multiple components: Kurds, Sunnis, Shiites, and others,” he said. “It is not right for a citizen’s livelihood to be cut off for political interest. We must engage in dialogue and understanding.”
He added that solutions remain within reach: “It is possible to resume oil exports and settle all issues politically. Unfortunately, some parties are trying to provoke crises to create a state of constant tension between the Kurdistan Region and the Federal government.”
In closing, al-Kanani reiterated the importance of national unity and equitable resource management. “We are against any tension in Iraq. We must be one country, and natural resources should belong to all Iraqis, from Baghdad to Basra, and from Basra to Zakho.”
His remarks serve as a direct challenge to Baghdad’s current posture and reinforce broader calls, both domestic and international, for a constitutional and inclusive approach to Iraq’s federal governance and resource distribution.
