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Rudaw Net
17 hours ago
- Business
- Rudaw Net
Baghdad may waive oil shortfall blocking June budget transfers to Erbil: KRG source
Also in Iraq PM Sudani discusses recent attacks in Baghdad meeting KRG says not consulted on Iraq-UN poverty report Iraqi president, PM stress state resources must not be used for election purposes Iraqi women's party seeks to contest elections through empowerment A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Baghdad may overlook the volume of oil currently being delivered by the Kurdistan Region despite it falling short of the agreed-upon quota, potentially paving the way for the disbursement of June salaries, a source from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) told Rudaw on Wednesday. 'Sending June salaries is tied to oil delivery, but it's possible Baghdad may overlook the amount of oil being delivered, given that current production does not reach 280,000 barrels and it's decided to reach that level gradually,' the source said, on the condition of anonymity. Under a July 17 agreement approved by Iraq's Council of Ministers, the KRG is required to deliver 280,000 barrels of oil per day, with 50,000 barrels allocated for domestic use. In return, Baghdad is to send monthly salary payments. More than 1.2 million civil servants in the Kurdistan Region remain unpaid for June. Aziz Ahmad, deputy chief of staff to KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, said earlier this month that nearly 200,000 barrels of oil production had been lost due to the 'spate of drone attacks.' A Baghdad technical team is expected to visit oil fields in the Kurdistan Region to assess current production levels and inspect damage from the strikes. A KRG source told Rudaw the delegation had already visited some fields and will now inspect the remaining ones. Rudaw has recorded dozens of drone and rocket attacks on the Kurdistan Region in recent weeks, many of which targeted oil infrastructure. While no group has claimed responsibility, the KRG interior ministry has accused the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF or Hashd al-Shaabi) of involvement - a charge Baghdad has rejected as 'unacceptable.' Despite these challenges, a source from the oil companies operating in the Kurdistan Region told Rudaw on Tuesday that they received a proposal detailing how to produce the 50,000 barrels for domestic use and how their financial entitlements will be paid. According to the deal, companies are to be paid $16 per barrel. However, Rudaw has learned that firms raised objections over the fixed rate. They want their payments after the initial two-month period to reflect their contractual shares and be linked to market prices, rather than a flat rate. Beyond oil, non-oil revenue also remains a sticking point. Baghdad has demanded 120 billion dinars in non-oil revenue for both May and June. While that amount has been delivered for May, a KRG source said June's contribution 'will be provided somehow,' but added that the Region 'cannot deliver that amount of revenue for July.' According to Rudaw's information, a joint committee from both governments' finance ministries and financial oversight bodies is now tasked with assessing and determining the Region's actual monthly non-oil revenues. The outcome could change future targets. Baghdad's expectations are based on a March 12 report to the prime minister's office that estimated the Kurdistan Region's 2024 non-oil revenues at 4.702 trillion dinars, or about 391.8 billion dinars per month. But a KRG finance ministry source told Rudaw the figure is misleading. 'The problem is that the calculated revenue amount has not all been returned to the government in cash. Part of that revenue, such as electricity money, has not been paid by citizens, so it's difficult to deliver the same estimated amount of money,' the source said. Tensions between Erbil and Baghdad escalated in late May when the federal finance ministry halted budget transfers, accusing the KRG of exceeding its 12.67 percent share and failing to meet oil commitments. The standoff began to ease earlier this month after Baghdad sent 975 billion dinars (around $737 million) to cover May salaries. But the deal's implementation has faced delays over unresolved technical and financial details. Hastyar Qadir contributed to this report.
Rudaw Net
a day ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Bomb-laden drone crashes southwest of Erbil, no casualties reported
Also in Kurdistan 'Dangerous escalation': HRW condemns drone strikes on Kurdistan Region 24 Raparin migrants return to Kurdistan Region after month-long detention in Libya President Barzani urges Baghdad to facilitate Yazidi returns on genocide anniversary Suicide drone targets Erbil; no casualties A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A bomb-laden drone crashed but did not explode near a village in Makhmour district on Wednesday morning, according to Kurdish counterterrorism forces. No casualties were reported. The Erbil-based Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD), also known as Kurdistan CT, said in a statement, 'Today Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 09:30 [am local time], a booby-trapped drone crashed without exploding near the village of Dugirdkan in Makhmour district,' roughly 60 kilometers southwest of Erbil. The Wednesday incident was not the first of its kind recorded in Makhmour district in recent months. Earlier this month, two drones targeted the district's Khurmala oil field, though both were intercepted before impact. According to Rudaw data, the Kurdistan Region has been targeted by nearly 20 drone and rocket attacks in recent weeks, many targeting oil infrastructure. Aziz Ahmad, deputy chief of staff to Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, in mid-July stated that the Region has lost nearly 200,000 barrels of oil production due to the 'spate of drone attacks.' While no group has claimed responsibility, the Kurdistan Region's interior ministry earlier in July accused the Iran-aligned Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) of involvement - a charge Baghdad swiftly rejected as 'unacceptable.' The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has also criticized the Iraqi federal government for failing to prevent or investigate the escalating drone threats.
Rudaw Net
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Iraqi parliament to convene on Kurdistan Region drone attacks
Also in Iraq Iraq cannot control militias attacking Kurdistan Region, says MP Iraq records 16 new cases of Crimean-Congo fever Iraq arrests 40 over alleged baathist plots, sectarian incitement PM Barzani says Baghdad added new condition to finance agreement A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Iraqi parliament is set to meet in an extraordinary session on Monday to discuss the recent drone attacks targeting critical oil infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region. Dozens of drone strikes have targeted the Kurdistan Region since the beginning of July, primarily striking oil fields. The attacks have incurred heavy financial losses on the Region and Kurdish officials have held Iraqi government-affiliated 'criminal militias' responsible. The official agenda published by the Iraqi parliament's media office said that a 'general discussion regarding terrorist attacks on infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region' will be part of the special session. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has blamed the attacks on Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a charge Baghdad has denied. The Kurdistan Region's Presidency, Council of Ministers, and Ministry of Natural Resources have all strongly condemned the attacks, describing them as attempts to cripple the Region's vital oil infrastructure. They called on the federal government to hold the perpetrators to account. Aziz Ahmad, deputy chief of staff to Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, said on Saturday that the explosive-laden drones that targeted oil fields were launched from Kirkuk province. No group has claimed responsibility. There have been no new attacks since Erbil and Baghdad reached a new agreement on finances and oil exports on Thursday. The session will also discuss the 'Kut fire incident,' according to the agenda. A massive fire at a newly opened shopping mall in Wasit's provincial capital of Kut late Wednesday killed at least 77 people and sparked outrage from the Iraqi public over lax safety standards. Most deaths were caused by smoke inhalation, with no emergency exits in place for victims to use.
Rudaw Net
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Drones targeting Kurdistan Region were launched from Kirkuk: KRG official
Also in Kurdistan Unfinished Stories: PKK disarmament PM Barzani, US chargé d'affaires discuss finances, oil exports Drone attack kills one in Penjwen PUK pushes for new KRG cabinet before Iraq's November vote A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Explosive-laden drones that targeted the Kurdistan Region last week were launched from Kirkuk province, a Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) official said on Saturday. 'The suicide drones that targeted oil fields in the Kurdistan Region last week flew from Dibis, Kirkuk,' Aziz Ahmad, deputy chief of staff to Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, said in a post on X. In the month of July, there have been at least 18 drone attacks on locations in the Kurdistan Region. In the past week, the attacks primarily targeted oil fields. Ahmad said on Wednesday that the Kurdistan Region has lost nearly 200,000 barrels of oil production due to the 'spate of drone attacks by criminal militias on the Iraqi government payroll.' The KRG has blamed the attacks on Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a charge Baghdad has denied. On Monday, the Iraqi parliament will convene to discuss the 'terrorist attacks with explosive drones on infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region,' according to the agenda. The Kurdistan Region's Presidency, Council of Ministers, and Ministry of Natural Resources have all strongly condemned the attacks, describing them as attempts to cripple the Region's vital oil infrastructure. They called on the federal government to hold the perpetrators to account. No group has claimed responsibility. There have been no new attacks since Erbil and Baghdad reached a new agreement on finances and oil exports on Thursday.
Rudaw Net
19-07-2025
- Business
- Rudaw Net
US encourages Iraq to end tensions with Kurdistan Region
WASHINGTON DC - The United States said on Saturday that the resolution of Erbil-Baghdad tensions over oil exports and finances would signal that the Iraqi government is committed to creating a suitable environment for companies to invest in the country. 'We have consistently encouraged Baghdad and Erbil to resolve their issues regarding salaries and the reopening of the ITP,' a State Department official told Rudaw in response to an email, referring to the Iraq-Turkey Pipeline. 'Addressing these issues quickly would signal that Iraq puts the interests of its people first and is committed to creating an environment in which companies will want to invest. Establishing that business-friendly environment requires respecting contract sanctity and providing necessary security guarantees,' added the official. Iraq's Council of Ministers on Thursday approved a new financial agreement with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), paving the way for the resumption of salary payments to the Region's public employees and the restart of Kurdish oil exports, which have been suspended for more than two years. The Iraqi government said the agreement stipulates that the KRG is obliged to export all of the oil produced from its fields - estimated at 230,000 barrels per day - through Iraq's State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO). The KRG will retain 50,000 barrels per day for local consumption, covering production costs, while the federal Ministry of Oil may provide refined oil products equivalent to 15,000 barrels per day if needed. Erbil will also hand over non-oil revenues. In return, Baghdad will pay the Kurdish government's share from the federal budget. The KRG, which approved the deal with the federal government ahead of its announcement by Baghdad, has not confirmed its contents. Kurdish Prime Minister Masrour Barzani said he welcomed their 'understanding' and expected Baghdad to resume the disbursement of the salaries of his government's civil servants who have only been paid for four months this year. With the announcement of their agreement, drone attacks on locations in the Kurdistan Region have stopped. In the month of July, there were at least 18 drone attacks. Oil fields operated by international companies have been a primary target. The last incident occurred on Thursday when two explosive-laden drones crashed in the outskirts of Erbil, according to the Erbil-based Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD). Another drone attack was repelled on the same day in the Shekhan district of Duhok province, home to oil fields operated by international companies, a security source told Rudaw at the time. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has blamed the attacks on Iraq's Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a charge Baghdad has denied. Aziz Ahmad, deputy chief of staff to Prime Minister Barzani, said in a statement on Wednesday that the Region has lost nearly 200,000 barrels of oil production due to the 'spate of drone attacks by criminal militias on the Iraqi government payroll.' The attacks have been widely condemned, including by the UN, US and UK. 'Demonstrating a commitment to safeguarding and supporting international investment is especially important in the current environment where drone attacks have targeted U.S. and other international companies' operations in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region without consequence,' the State Department official noted in the email to Rudaw.
