BAGHDAD OR ERBIL? WHO CONTROLS IRAQ’S WEALTH?

 BAGHDAD OR ERBIL? WHO CONTROLS IRAQ’S WEALTH?

Iran’s News Channels

The Iraqi Ministry of Oil declared two agreements between two American energy companies and the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq “null and void” due to their failure to obtain federal approval.

The World – Correspondents

The tense relationship between Baghdad and Erbil has once again come to the fore after the Kurdistan Region of Iraq signed two massive gas field development agreements with two American companies worth more than $110 billion. This move sparked widespread political and legal controversy and brought to the fore an old question: Who owns the decision-making power over Iraq’s resources?

Political analyst Naseem Abdullah told Al-Alam TV: “The Iraqi constitution states in Articles 110, 112, and 121 that the management of oil resources is a joint management between the region and the federal government. This provision is explicit, as the 2005 constitution stated that these resources are managed jointly by the region and the federal government. Currently, the region has violated the constitution through its unilateral management, which constitutes a breach of it.”

The agreement, announced by the Prime Minister of the Kurdish region, Masrour Barzani , includes the development of massive oil and gas reserves in the Mizan, Topkhana, and Kordemir fields, potentially transforming Kurdistan into a regional energy hub. However, Baghdad, through the Ministry of Oil, quickly declared the agreement invalid, asserting that it violates the constitution and a ruling by the Federal Supreme Court.

Law professor Mohammed Adiq told Al-Alam TV: “Regarding the relationship between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the federal authorities, it is governed by Articles 110, 114, and 112. Therefore, the expired Kurdistan Regional Government must partner with the federal government in managing oil and gas and concluding oil contracts.”

On the other hand, Erbil believes its actions are legal and within its jurisdiction, citing the absence of a federal law regulating the oil and gas sector. It asserts that the revenues will benefit both Kurdistan and Iraq.

Kurdish political analyst Hussein Al-Jaf said, “What happened is not a new contract, but rather the transfer of ownership of the project, which was operating in oil, from Kurdistan to another company. Therefore, there is no such thing as a renewed contract.”

This sharp contrast raises a highly complex legal and political issue. While Baghdad champions sovereignty over resources, Erbil asserts that it is exercising a constitutional right that is absent from the national agreement.

The relationship between Baghdad and Erbil remains hostage to intense disagreements over resource management, with Baghdad insisting on centralized decision-making and Erbil insisting on its constitutional rights. The absence of a national agreement is evident, making every crisis a renewed conflict between Baghdad and Erbil.