HIDDEN FINGERS ARE TAMPERING WITH THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BAGHDAD AND ERBIL… EFFORTS TO ABORT AL-SUDANI’S SECOND TERM BEFORE IT MATURES

HIDDEN FINGERS ARE TAMPERING WITH THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BAGHDAD AND ERBIL… EFFORTS TO ABORT AL-SUDANI’S SECOND TERM BEFORE IT MATURES –

Political researcher Nabil Al-Azzawi revealed on Wednesday (June 4, 2025) that there are political parties working behind the scenes to stir up tensions and disputes between Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and the Kurdish forces in Kurdistan, in an attempt to block the renewal of his term for a second term.

Al-Azzawi told Baghdad Today, “There are political parties that do not want the elections scheduled for November 11 to take place, and they are seeking by all means to place artificial obstacles in the way of the government.” He pointed out that “these parties are working to undermine the growing trust between al-Sudani and the Kurdish forces, as they believe that an understanding between the two parties strengthens al-Sudani’s chances of remaining in office for a second term.”

He added, “Since assuming office, the Prime Minister has placed the relationship between Baghdad and Erbil at the top of his priorities. His first move was toward the Kurdistan Region, where he launched the ‘Sustainable Solutions’ initiative as an alternative to the policy of recurring crises. This has worried some forces that do not see a solution to these issues in their best interest.”

Al-Azzawi explained that “Al-Sudani is making clear strides toward removing the outstanding issues,” noting that “an expanded technical meeting is expected to be held in Baghdad, with the attendance of an official delegation from the region, to discuss a number of outstanding issues, including the push for the enactment of an oil and gas law, which would end many crises and open the door to radical solutions regarding the disputed areas and Article 140 of the constitution.”

The political researcher emphasized that “leaving these issues unresolved threatens the political stability Iraq currently enjoys, especially in light of the complex regional circumstances,” asserting that “inciting conflicts at this time only serves narrow agendas, while citizens today need services and development, not escalation and conflict.”

Al-Azzawi pointed out that “there are multiple internal parties, some of them from within the Coordination Framework, seeking to obstruct al-Sudani’s rapprochement with the Kurds, due to their awareness that the support of Kurdish and Sunni forces puts him in a strong position to secure a second term, something these parties do not desire, as they are working to shuffle the political cards to preserve their own interests.”

Observers believe that since assuming the premiership in October 2022, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has sought to adopt a comprehensive de-escalation policy and prioritize dialogue to resolve outstanding issues, particularly between the federal government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Regional Government.

 His first official visit was to Erbil, a clear indication of his desire to open a new page with the region.

During his tenure, Al-Sudani focused on thorny issues such as the oil and gas law, disputed territories, and the implementation of Article 140 of the constitution. These issues have been a source of tension between the two sides for years.

As the local elections approach and talk escalates about the possibility of renewing al-Sudani’s term for a second term, a counter-political movement has begun to emerge, seeking to undermine this process by re-escalating tensions with the region and raising contentious issues as part of the power struggle between political forces within and outside the Coordination Framework.