Deputy Speaker Blasts Baghdad's 'Starvation' Policy
Deputy Speaker of Iraqi Parliament, Dr. Shakhawan Abdullah, condemned Baghdad's actions against Kurdistan Region employees as an "unprecedented crime," accusing it of starving the population through salary cuts and oil withholding, and urging an end to what he called lawlessness and disrespect.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In a scathing Facebook message, Iraqi Parliament Deputy Speaker Shakhawan Abdullah accused Baghdad of crossing all lines by targeting the Kurdistan Region's public employees and sustenance, labeling it an unprecedented crime in Iraq's history and urging an immediate end to the "disrespect and lawlessness."
Abdullah expressed deep dissatisfaction with Baghdad's positions toward the Kurdistan Region, questioning, "Is this not enough?" He detailed the grievances, stating: "In the recent past, they have crossed all lines. They reached for the people's sustenance and made the decision to starve the people of Kurdistan."
The deputy speaker described the actions as "the first of its kind to be committed in the history of Iraq's formation," emphasizing that the salary cuts and oil withholding were not temporary measures. "They did not cut the salaries with the intention of restoring them, nor did they withhold the oil with the intention of releasing it again," he wrote.
Abdullah highlighted ongoing delays, noting: "Worst of all is the stalling and the continuation of this policy under various pretexts—one time the Federal Court, another time the formation of a committee. Their goal is to starve the people further."
Calling for action, he declared: "The time has come to put an end to this disrespect and lawlessness. I am sure our own government is concerned about this issue and will not allow our people to be starved any further."
Abdullah also conveyed public sentiment, adding: "The people of Kurdistan demand that we no longer believe their promises and smooth talk, and that we announce a stance." He stressed the need to "take a stand against the crime being committed against the people of Kurdistan and our region," describing it as "the right step to take."
The post marks one of the most vocal denunciations of Baghdad’s financial policy by a senior Kurdish official in recent months, highlighting ongoing tensions over budgetary allocations and resource sharing between the federal government and the Kurdistan Region.
