Hamdi Shingali, Deputy Director of Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO), stated that the Kurdistan Region has fulfilled its obligations toward Baghdad and complied with the agreements, as the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) announced it would send non-oil revenues to Baghdad.

On the sideline of the Middle East Peace and Security (MEPS) Forum in Duhok on Tuesday, where many Kurdish and Iraqi leaders were in attendance, including the KRG and Iraqi prime ministers, Shingali told Channel8 that “Why didn't the [salary] come? The question should have been directed to [Mohammed Shia] al-Sudani today.”

He noted that as the Kurdistan Region, “we have fulfilled our duty very well.”

Uncertainty Over Salary Payments Amid Government Negotiations

The Iraqi government convened on Monday; however, no decision has been made regarding the salaries of the Kurdistan Region's public sector, amid concerns among government employees over the potential loss of the remaining four salaries for the year.

KRG Transfers Non-Oil Revenues to Baghdad as per Agreement

Today, the KRG Finance Ministry announced that the Kurdish Region will transfer 120 billion dinars of non-oil revenues to Baghdad as the share of the Federal Treasury for September.

According to the agreement between the two governments, as the KRG transfers non-oil revenues, Baghdad is obliged to fulfill its financial rights towards the Kurdistan Region.

The ministry said that cash will be deposited into the bank account of the federal Ministry of Finance tomorrow. 

KRG and Iraqi Prime Ministers Discuss Salary Payments at MEPS Forum

At the same time, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani in Duhok, where both attended the MEPS Forum. During the meeting, Barzani emphasized the importance of ensuring the timely payment of salaries to the Kurdistan Region.

Additionally, Prime Minister al-Sudani reaffirmed that the salaries of the Kurdistan Region for this year will be paid in accordance with the terms of the agreements between both sides.