A senior Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) official said party president Bafel Jalal Talabani played a decisive role in overcoming a political deadlock with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) that led to the July 17 agreement, which has since shaped relations between Erbil and Baghdad.

Latif Nerwayi, a PUK Leadership Council member, recalled that talks between the two Kurdish groups had halted earlier in July. "There was a proposal that Kurdish representatives withdraw from Baghdad," he informed me. "But Bafel Talabani insisted the problems could only be resolved in Baghdad."

According to Nerwayi, Talabani asked for an opportunity to address the impasse and was ultimately able to secure an understanding that became the foundation of the July 17 agreement.

Impact on salaries and relations

Nerwayi said the agreement marked a turning point in ties between the Kurdistan Region and the federal government.

The deal will resolve the salary issue, stabilize the Kurdistan Region, and restore confidence in relations between Erbil and Baghdad

he said.

He added that the arrangement also creates “shared responsibilities, commitments, and common interests” between both sides, which could pave the way for solutions to other disputes.