Kurdistan MP Reveals Corruption Allegations at Checkpoints Between Erbil and Sulaymaniyah

Peregraf

A member of the Kurdistan Parliament has exposed allegations of corruption involving illegal fees imposed at checkpoints between Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, which separate areas controlled by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).

The parliamentarian has expressed a desire for this issue to be addressed by both the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Notably, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani is affiliated with the KDP, while Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani is associated with the PUK.

During a press conference, Ali Hama Saleh, a member of the Kurdistan Parliament, stated that each fuel truck entering Sulaimaniyah, an area under PUK control, is subjected to an exaction of $650, which is allegedly collected by the ruling party and two of its officials. He further revealed that approximately 1,500 trucks pass through daily, resulting in an estimated $1 million in daily revenue from these charges. Saleh also indicated that a similar practice occurs in Erbil, a KDP-controlled area, where trucks from Sulaimaniyah are required to pay a $300 exaction upon entry through security checkpoints.

Exactions are specifically levied when traversing areas governed by different authorities. For example, movement within regions controlled by the KDP, such as the route from Erbil to Duhok, does not attract these charges. Conversely, travel between Erbil and Koya, although both are situated within Erbil province, incurs fees due to Koya's governance by the PUK.

This systematic collection of exactions generates significant unofficial revenue and illustrates how the competition between the Barzani and Talabani factions has fostered economic practices that negatively impact vital trade. The phenomenon known as the "checkpoint economy" has effectively created internal tariff barriers, with both factions formalizing the extraction of funds from commercial traffic passing through their respective controlled areas.

Ali Hama Saleh also highlighted significant issues concerning oil between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi Federal Government. He noted that there is a persistent effort from Iraq to reclaim control over oil from the Kurdistan Region, accompanied by disputes regarding amendments to the budget law. These amendments were proposed as a solution to resume the export of oil from the Kurdistan Region to global markets.

Furthermore, Saleh presented findings from his investigation into the salary crisis, stating that, for several reasons, there is currently no decision by the Federal Government of Iraq to disburse the January 2025 salaries of Kurdish public sector employees. He attributed this to factors such as the KRG's failure to submit the December 2024 trial balance and revenue reports to Baghdad, the lack of reorganization of pensioners' payrolls and other records, and the KRG's demand for 1.1 trillion dinars monthly from Baghdad for salaries. Additionally, the KRG has not agreed to transfer domestic revenue to the Iraqi government.

These revelations underscore the complex financial and administrative challenges facing the Kurdistan Region, highlighting the need for increased transparency and cooperation between the regional and federal governments.