KRG Delegation Returns from Baghdad: Unpacking the Implications, 29 NOV

 KRG Delegation Returns from Baghdad: Unpacking the Implications

The delegation of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), after their intense discussions with Baghdad, have returned to Erbil. A key member of the delegation, Helkewt Aziz, shed light on the nature of their demands and the responses they received from Baghdad, though the specifics remain undisclosed.

US-Kurdistan Ties in the Face of ISIS Threat

The United States shares a robust bond with the Kurds in Iraq, built on a mutual interest in containing the security dilemma in the region. The US has provided significant humanitarian and military assistance to the Kurdistan Region, notably supporting the Peshmerga, Kurdistan’s standing military, in the fight against ISIS. This partnership, underscored by the defeat of ISIS in 2017, has led the Department of Defense (DOD) to extend their support for the Peshmerga’s anti-ISIS operations for another four years.

Security Challenges and US Role

Despite these victories, the Kurdistan Region faces significant security challenges, with the ideological remains of ISIS persisting among some in the region and the potential for former members to regroup. The US has a crucial role in addressing these vulnerabilities by providing security, intelligence, and potential troop support. This includes fostering reforms within the KRG and its collaboration with Iraq to maintain regional stability.

Kurdistan’s Political Integrity and the US

Treefa Aziz, the KRG’s Higher Representative in the United States, has emphasized the importance of enhancing Kurdish political integrity. She has urged Washington not just to criticize but to assist in improving governance systems within Kurdistan. A politically efficient Kurdistan, known for good governance, can contribute to a stable and secure region.

Baghdad’s Centralization Efforts and KRG

However, the ongoing political discord in Baghdad makes it challenging to negotiate the KRG’s demands. Baghdad’s centralization efforts undermine Kurdish autonomy and are fundamentally contrary to the aim of maintaining peace in the region, a goal achieved largely through the efforts of the US, the KRI, and Iraq.

Economic Steps and International Relations

As part of its economic diversification efforts, the KRG has initiated honey exports to Qatar, supporting local beekeepers and the private sector. In a bid to enhance bilateral relations, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani recently met with Dr. Yann Braem, the newly appointed Consul General of France in the Kurdistan Region. The KRG is also looking to strengthen its ties with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and focus on resuming oil exports with Türkiye.

https://bnn.network/politics/krg-delegation-returns-from-baghdad-unpacking-the-implications/