Erbil, Kurdistan Region – The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has accused the Iraqi federal government of intentionally imposing economic hardships on the Kurdish people by withholding salaries and budget allocations since 2014.

At a press conference on Thursday, Pishtiwan Sadiq, the KRG’s Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, stated that the Kurdistan Region’s constitutional rights are being violated by Baghdad, leading to prolonged financial struggles for Kurdish citizens.

“We have a constitution that clearly outlines the rights of the Kurdish people,” Sadiq said. “Yet, Iraqi authorities persistently stand against the Kurds, creating crises through mechanisms like salary cuts and budget withholding.”

Sadiq emphasized that the financial crisis is part of a broader dispute between Erbil and Baghdad, which includes unresolved territorial disagreements. “If a people lose their land, they lose everything. The issue of land is vital for us,” he stressed.

Despite ongoing tensions, the minister expressed hope for a resolution, stating that the salary issue must be addressed. “The current situation cannot continue. Neither the international community nor the Iraqi framework will accept it,” he said. “We trust the capacity of the Kurdistan government and the leadership of the Prime Minister to find a solution.”

"Baghdad is Deliberately Weakening the Kurdistan Region"
Sadiq dismissed claims that administrative or legal disputes were behind the financial delays, instead accusing Baghdad of an intentional campaign to weaken the Kurdistan Region economically.

“There is no real problem between Erbil and Baghdad,” he said. “The issue lies in Baghdad’s deliberate attempt to weaken the Kurdistan Region economically.”

The KRG has faced repeated delays in receiving federal budget shares and salary payments, leading to widespread protests by civil servants and economic instability. The dispute remains unresolved despite multiple negotiations between Erbil and Baghdad.

The Iraqi government has previously cited disagreements over oil revenue sharing and budget compliance as reasons for withholding funds, but Kurdish officials insist the moves are politically motivated.