Iraqi Deputy Speaker Shakhawan Abdullah: Iraq Still Needs U.S. and Coalition Support

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Shakhawan Abdullah, Deputy Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, on Sunday underscored Iraq’s continued need for U.S. and international coalition forces, citing the ongoing threat of ISIS to the country’s security and stability.

In an interview with Kurdistan24, Abdullah strongly opposed the proposed Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) bill, stressing that it “will not be passed in parliament because it is harmful to all Iraqis.”

Turning to the situation in Kirkuk, he said, “Unfortunately, the conspiracies in Kirkuk are not over yet. Any shortcomings in the administration of the province should be addressed by the governor, as this is in the best interest of the residents.” He added that all political actors must focus on serving the people of Kirkuk, recalling that previous commitments to the city had been fulfilled.

On the financial crisis affecting the Kurdistan Region, Abdullah criticized Baghdad for failing to send public employees’ salaries on time. “The June salary should have been sent a month ago, and not postponed until today. We should be discussing the July salary now, but unfortunately, the Baghdad authorities are content with starving the people of the Kurdistan Region,” he remarked.

He stressed that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has fully met its obligations under agreements with the federal government, leaving “no excuse” for Baghdad to delay the salaries.

Meanwhile, Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met on Sunday with the KRG negotiating delegation to review the latest round of discussions with the Iraqi federal government, the KRG Department of Media and Information announced.

The delegation presented an update on their talks in Baghdad, which focused on technical and legal matters between the two sides.

The meeting highlighted the importance of continuing the negotiation process and accelerating efforts to secure a comprehensive agreement that guarantees the Kurdistan Region’s constitutional and legal rights, including the salaries and financial entitlements of its citizens.

The salary dispute has been one of the most contentious issues in relations between Baghdad and Erbil. For years, delays and disagreements over budget transfers and oil revenues have led to recurring crises, leaving hundreds of thousands of public employees in the Kurdistan Region without regular salaries.

Oil exports through the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline have been suspended since March 2023 following a ruling by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) that halted independent Kurdish oil sales. Oil exports have long been a contentious issue between the KRG and the federal government, impacting the region's economic stability and development.

The suspension has significantly affected the KRG's revenue, which heavily depends on oil exports. This has led to financial challenges for the region. Efforts to resolve the issue through negotiations between the KRG and the federal government are ongoing.