SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region – As the Iraqi Parliament prepares to convene an emergency session on Tuesday to address what it calls “Zionist aggression” and Israel’s violation of Iraqi sovereignty during recent airstrikes on Iran, uncertainty remains over whether Kurdish parliamentary factions will attend or boycott the meeting.
Despite being in recess, the Iraqi House of Representatives on Sunday called for an extraordinary session to address “Israel’s violation of Iraqi sovereignty” and ongoing “Zionist aggression.” amid ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.
Shwan Mohammed, a lawmaker from the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) faction, told Zoom News that Kurdish factions in the Iraqi Parliament are expected to meet ahead of the session to make a final decision.
“Kurdish factions will either unanimously decide to boycott or attend the session, or allow each group to decide independently,” he said, adding that the emergency session could present an opportunity for Kurdish representatives to pressure the federal government to resume salary funds to the Kurdistan Region civil servants and security personnel.
Civil servants in the Kurdistan Region have not received their May payments due to a May 28 decision by Iraq’s Ministry of Finance to suspend funding, claiming the KRG exceeded its share of the federal budget outlined for 2023–2025.
In response to the funding dispute, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Shakhawan Abdullah previously announced that Kurdish representatives would abstain from all parliamentary proceedings until the issue of salaries is addressed and formally placed on the national legislature’s agenda.
Tuesday’s session follows sharp condemnation from top Iraqi officials over Israel’s reported use of Iraqi airspace to carry out airstrikes on Iran. Baghdad has since initiated legal procedures and filed complaints with international institutions, including the United Nations, urging a global response to what it views as a dangerous breach of sovereignty.
Israel launched a surprise aerial assault on Tehran early Friday, targeting nuclear facilities and military assets. Iranian authorities report the strikes killed at least 224 people, including senior IRGC commanders and nuclear experts, as the conflict between the two countries enters its fourth day.