Politics

Analysis: Worsening internal rivalries weaken KRG at key political juncture

Conflict between the KDP and PUK has driven dysfunction in Erbil and weakened Kurdish influence in Baghdad as a new government takes power.

Bafel Talabani, president of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (left), meets with newly elected Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi (right), in Baghdad in May 2026. (Photo credit: Prime Minister's Office)

Oct 14, 2017

Battles erupt in Tuz Khurmatu as KRG-Baghdad crisis escalates

Following provocative federal troop movements on the southern outskirts of Kirkuk, Peshmerga-Hashid fighting has broken out in another part of Iraq's disputed territories.

Oct 13, 2017

Q&A: Kirkuk Gov. Najmaldin Karim

As political and military tensions mount around Kirkuk, the governor discusses the future of the province and its oil.

Oct 12, 2017

Hashid-Peshmerga battles near Kirkuk raise specter of war

The KRG fears federal Iraqi forces are plotting a "major attack" days after tensions combusted into two, hour-long firefights near the disputed Bai Hassan oil field.

Oct 11, 2017

Iraq aims to rebuild northern pipeline

Massive political challenges and financial constraints cast uncertainty on the Oil Ministry's announcement that it will rehabilitate its decimated pipeline to Turkey.

Oct 10, 2017

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Oct. 10, 2017

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers releases decisions of the Cabinet, Iraq Oil Report publishes a translation from the original Arabic.

Oct 9, 2017

Q&A: KRG Minister of Transportation Mawlood Bawa Murad

The KRG is powerless to lift a ban on international flights that Baghdad imposed in retaliation for the independence referendum.

Oct 3, 2017

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Oct. 3, 2017

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers releases decisions of the Cabinet, Iraq Oil Report publishes a translation from the original Arabic.

Oct 3, 2017

Military buildup on the KRG-Iran border

Kurdish security forces and Iranian tanks have deployed to opposite sides of the Parwezkhan crossing, as Baghdad moves to exert federal control over border posts.

Sep 28, 2017

Baghdad digs in against KRG referendum

As the KRG announced referendum results, Iraq's Parliament issued a bellicose directive calling on Abadi to march on Kirkuk and target Kurdistan's oil sector, borders, and airports.

Sep 26, 2017

Iraqi Cabinet decisions: Sept. 26, 2017

Whenever the media office of the Council of Ministers releases decisions of the Cabinet, Iraq Oil Report publishes a translation from the original Arabic.