“It’s Regrettable That Salaries Are Used as Political Pressure,” PM Barzani Tells Asharq News

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has expressed readiness to resume talks with the Iraqi federal government over a new oil and gas law, seeking to resolve one of the most contentious issues in the strained relationship between Erbil and Baghdad.

Speaking in an interview with Asharq News, published on Saturday, Barzani reiterated the Region’s willingness to cooperate with Baghdad, particularly on restarting crude oil exports that have been halted for over two years. The crisis dates back to February 2022, when Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court ruled the Kurdistan Region's 2007 oil and gas law unconstitutional, placing sole authority over oil operations in the hands of the federal Ministry of Oil.

Barzani said that halting exports has cost the Region approximately $25 billion in revenue to date.

Drone Attacks and Energy Sector Security

Barzani also addressed recent drone attacks on the Kurdistan Region's oil infrastructure, which disrupted production of 140,000–150,000 barrels per day—causing an estimated $10 million in daily losses. The attacks, which began on July 14 and lasted four days, coincided with the signing of energy deals with American firms.

“We know who is behind the attacks,” Barzani said, while noting that investigations are ongoing. “The United States is an ally, and we are sharing information with them, especially since American companies manage some of the affected fields.”

Barzani added that Kurdistan is also open to strengthening energy cooperation with Saudi Arabia, highlighting “historic ties” between the two sides.

Salary Disputes and Constitutional Violations

Prime Minister Barzani also criticized Baghdad for using public sector salaries as a political tool. “It is deeply regrettable that the livelihoods of our people are used as leverage in political disputes,” he said. Barzani stressed that withholding salaries violates the constitution, noting that May salaries were only recently disbursed after a three-month delay.

He accused the federal Ministry of Finance of overstepping its authority by interfering in the Region’s salary distribution and budgeting, calling for an agreement on a constitutionally sound mechanism in the upcoming federal budget law.

The Peace Process in Türkiye

Barzani expressed support for the peace process in Turkey and hoped the war between Türkiye and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) would end. "We hope this ongoing conflict and problems come to an end, because we have been suffering from this ongoing war," Barzani said.

Barzani welcomed the call of the PKK's leader, Abdullah Öcalan, for the group to disarm. "800 villages have not been rebuilt because of the ongoing clashes, and with the end of this war, we hope our people will go back to their villages," he added, hoping that "the peace process would succeed."

 Kurdistan 24 English (@K24English) July 26, 2025