Blinken meets Iraqi Kurdistan PM in Washington amid regional tension
Yes, you read the title correctly. The news media calls Kurdistan Regional Government Masrour Barzani, Iraqi Kurdistan PM. A term we do not hear very often. And yes, this man is in Washington D.C. in talks with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
Here's what they are talking about
Despite mounting tension in Iraq over calls for the removal of US anti-ISIS coalition troops, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in Washington on Monday.
Before the meeting, Mr Blinken said that the United States has a long-standing partnership with the Kurdistan Regional Government.
This partnership is built on shared values, shared interests, as well as a shared history of sacrifice.
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US troops may be pulled out of Iraq after recent talks between Washington and Baghdad.
Since 2014, a US-led coalition has been fighting ISIS in Iraq.
In 2017, the group was defeated, but about 2,500 American troops remained in Iraq to advise and assist.
US troops have been causing increasing internal pressure on the Iraqi government.
"We are very proud to be American allies," Mr Barzani said.
The US launches retaliatory strikes on Iran-backed targets in Iraq and Syria
The US launches retaliatory strikes on Iran-backed targets in Iraq and Syria
Our people have gone through some very difficult times, and we are very grateful for the support that the US has always provided.
Now, we are facing some new challenges in the region."
According to Mr Barzani, ISIS is still a significant threat despite moves in the Iraqi Parliament to force US troops to leave the country.
Last week, he told US charge d'affaires David Burger that the threat of terrorism and its reappearance remains.
Mr. Barzani said the interests, stability, and security of all Iraqi regions and components must be considered.
Washington and Baghdad have held at least two rounds of talks since last month on ending the US-led international coalition against ISIS.
Barzani's visit follows US strikes on Iraqi territory in response to attacks by Iran-backed militia groups on American forces.
On February 2, the US attacked Iran-backed sites in Iraq and Syria following an attack on a Jordanian base that killed three US soldiers.
An Iraqi Kataib Hezbollah commander was killed five days later by US forces.
Since the beginning of the Israel-Gaza conflict in October, US troops have been attacked frequently in the Middle East.
The political difference between the Kurdistan Region and Baghdad
The relationship between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq and the central government in Baghdad has been fraught with political differences for decades. The historical tensions between these entities have hindered their progress toward establishing a stable and cooperative partnership.
To understand the present state of affairs, one must examine the past. The roots of discord can be traced back to centuries of conflict over territory, resources, and power struggles. However, the most significant catalyst for animosity was Iraq's annexation of Kurdish territories during Saddam Hussein's regime in 1970-80s. This put an end to any hopes for autonomy or recognition for Kurds within Iraq.
After years of oppression and violence against Kurds, things began to change with the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003. The new Iraqi constitution recognized Kurdish autonomy within a federal system but left several issues unresolved, such as oil revenue sharing and disputed territories' status. These unresolved matters continued to fuel tension between Erbil (the capital city of KRG) and Baghdad.
Despite attempts at cooperation in recent years, several major points of contention have deepened divisions between Kurdistan and Baghdad. One significant issue is control over oil resources; both sides claim ownership over disputed territories rich in oil reserves. This has resulted in disputes over revenue-sharing agreements, leading to economic instability for both parties.
Another critical factor contributing to strained relations is security concerns. While KRG has managed to maintain stability within its borders through effective governance and cooperation with international forces, Baghdad still faces threats from terrorist groups like ISIS. This has created mistrust between them as KRG often accuses Baghdad of not doing enough to protect its border regions.
Furthermore, political differences also play a significant role in hindering progress in relations between Kurdistan and Baghdad. The two governments have opposing views on issues such as regional autonomy, national identity, and power-sharing. These differences have led to frequent clashes and deadlock in negotiations.
The current state of relations between Kurdistan and Baghdad is characterized by ongoing political differences, unresolved disputes over territory and resources, security concerns, and mistrust. Despite several attempts at reconciliation, these issues continue to hinder progress toward establishing a stable partnership between the two entities. In the following sections of this article, we will explore how these political differences impact various aspects of their relationship and discuss potential solutions for moving forward.
We often wonder if the tear between the KRG Region and Baghdad is too long and deep to fix. However, the Iraqi Federal court has reined in the region with a heavy hand using Iraqi Federal laws.
