American newspaper: Baghdad’s pressure supports the region’s independency

Erbil accuses Baghdad government of imposing economic sanctions by cutting its share of the budget, which led to confusion and obstruction in   paying public sector employees in the region since the beginning of this year .

A report by U.S. Christian Science Monitor, briefed by " Shafaq News " that, despite the fact that oil exports provide KRG a good flow of revenue , but it is not able to fill the gap now, if Baghdad continued to prevent the proportion of 17 % of the national budget , which is the allocation for Kurdistan Region every year “.

The Newspaper noted that " those revenues make up the bulk of   Kurdistan Region’s budget , despite the fact that the Kurds say they are regularly getting far less than what they are promised ."

According to the report , Baghdad began to refrain from paying those funds last January and was forced Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) from that time to delay the payment of wages of public sector workers , as salaries of April have not been paid yet, and some workers began strike.

Officials of KRG have asked to give them their right to sell the oil without permission of the central government . But Baghdad stressed the need to export oil through the State Oil Marketing Organization , and vowed to immediately begin proceedings against any person or entity that initiate the purchase of oil from Kurdistan .

The newspaper reported in this context, Richard Mallinson , geopolitical analyst in Energy Expects Organization, as saying that " Baghdad should be keen to use its influence , especially that Kurdistan Region still rely on it in financial terms.

Mallinson added , "if Baghdad punished Kurds very harshly , they may raise a wave of support for independence for the region , regardless of the consequences or financial consequences . Which requires Baghdad to deal carefully so as not to push them towards more independency.”

A member of the Parliament from Change Kurdish movement , Shoresh Haji said " I believe in working with Iraq so far , But when we get to the stage that our rights are not recognized and have nothing to say about decision-making process in Iraq , then we need time to think about other options ."

Although confirmation of the Prime Minister of Kurdistan , Nechirvan Barzani , that the region will be able to pay the future salaries without relying on Baghdad and that it start oil exports , however, many experts have expressed doubt about the matter altogether. According to the newspaper .