Fights between Iraq’s central government and the Kurdistan Regional Government continue apace, with the State Organization for Marketing of Oil threatening measures against companies that continue to buy oil directly from the Kurds.
After the US occupation, the KRG was free to make side deals on oil, a huge revenue source. After the ISIS War, the central government has sought to curtail such sales, making it a central government issue on the grounds that they need the money.
In July, the Oil Ministry threatened to start annulling Kurdish deals, and the ministry is being increasingly empowered to try to make sure that Kurdish exports are kept to a strict minimum.
Though this initially fueled separatism, the central government seems able to maintain a hold on the region, and the Oil Ministry seems determined to monetize the assets.
Well O̶l̶l̶i̶e̶ George, this is another fine mess you’ve gotten me into.
This article is about the Kurdish portion of Iraq but who receives oil stolen by the Kurds in Syria. I wonder if their brethren in Iraq launder it or if it goes straight to Turkey.