Prominent Arab politicians are warning that a potential Kurdish withdrawal from Iraq’s political process could lead to the collapse of the country’s constitutional and governmental order. The warnings come amid escalating tensions over the Iraqi federal government’s decision to cut salaries for public sector employees in the Kurdistan Region.

Iraqi politician Mashaan al-Jubouri stressed the critical role of Kurdish political forces in Iraq’s modern governance, stating on social media platform X that the Kurds were “main partners in overthrowing Saddam Hussein’s regime and in opening international doors for the Iraqi opposition.”

He warned that their withdrawal would have devastating consequences: “The withdrawal of Kurds from the political process is not merely the departure of a component, but it will cause the collapse of a part of national legitimacy, the consequences of which Iraq will find very difficult to bear.”

Al-Jubouri emphasized that dialogue is the only solution, urging the federal government to engage in negotiations to resolve the crisis.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has strongly condemned the Iraqi Finance Ministry’s decision to withhold salaries of its civil servants, calling it unconstitutional and an act of collective punishment. Kurdish officials argue that the move is part of a broader effort to undermine the Region’s autonomy and rights guaranteed under Iraq’s constitution.

Public anger is rising in the Kurdistan Region, with calls for a unified Kurdish response. Political factions are holding high-level discussions to determine their next steps, with some leaders warning that continued violations by Baghdad could threaten Iraq’s unity.

Iraqi writer and political analyst Salem al-Jumaili echoed al-Jubouri’s concerns, stating on X: “The withdrawal of Kurds from the political process is not just the departure of a component, but it means the fall of the constitution, the collapse of the government, and the collapse of electoral legitimacy.”

The Kurdish parties are expected to announce a unified stance in the coming days, with some factions pushing for stronger measures against Baghdad. Observers fear that if the crisis is not resolved through dialogue, Iraq could face a severe political breakdown, destabilizing the already fragile governance structure.

As tensions escalate, Iraqi and Kurdish leaders are being urged to de-escalate the situation through negotiations. The international community is closely monitoring developments, with concerns growing over the potential for further instability in Iraq.

The coming days will be critical in determining whether Baghdad and Erbil can find a compromise—or if Iraq’s political system will face its most severe crisis in years.