SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region — Officials from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and senior political leaders continue to denounce the Iraqi Finance Ministry’s recent decision to suspend funding for civil servant salaries in the Kurdistan Region. While accusing Baghdad of politicizing Kurdish livelihoods and using them as political leverage, they call for leagl and constituational means to reslove outstanding issues between Baghdad and Erbil.
On May 28, the Iraqi Ministry of Finance halted funds to the Kurdistan Region, citing that it had exceeded its 12.67% share under the three-year federal budget law for 2023–2025, leaving over a million civil servants unpaid ahead of Eid al-Adha.
Dzhwar Fayaq, senior adviser to the KRG Prime Minister and representative to the Article 140 Committee, said Tuesday that Baghdad has politicized disputes and blocked laws favoring Kurdistan. He called for passing the Oil and Gas Law in line with Article 112 of the Iraqi Constitution, which grants shared authority over oil management. On customs, he urged a joint law under Article 114, rejecting Baghdad’s claim of exclusive federal control under Article 110.
“If Article 140 and the passage of Oil and Gas Law had favored Arabs instead of Kurds, they would have been implemented back in 2005.” Fayaq added.
Meanwhile, Hoshyar Siwaily, Head of Foreign Relations for the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), warned that full reliance on Baghdad weakens Kurdistan’s position and increases federal pressure. He accused Baghdad of using Kurdish livelihoods as political leverage.
In a Facebook post, Siwaily criticized the Iraqi Oil Ministry’s rejection of Kurdistan’s recent oil and gas agreements and obstruction of the Oil and Gas Law, calling these efforts attempts to undermine economic autonomy and block energy independence—key pillars of Kurdistan’s self-reliance.
Siwaily emphasized that self-reliance depends on internal unity, strong institutions, legal frameworks, and constitutional foundations. He stressed that reinstating Parliament and forming the 10th KRG cabinet are essential political duties, and that drafting a constitution must be a core task of Parliament.
This latest move by Iraqi Finance Ministry to suspend salary funds exacerbates a decade-long financial standoff between Baghdad and Erbil, leaving civil servants caught in a prolonged limbo of delayed and suspended payments.