At a Glance

• MP says Kurdish military representation dropped sharply.
• Kurdish share fell from 25% to 1%, she says.
• Baghdad accused of failing to protect energy infrastructure.
• Questions raised over Iraq's ability to safeguard sovereignty.

A member of the Iraqi Parliament's Security and Defense Committee says Kurdish representation in Iraq's military and security institutions has declined from 25% after 2003 to just 1%, while accusing the federal government of failing to protect the Kurdistan Region's oil and gas infrastructure from repeated attacks.

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Key Statements and Focus Area

• Chiman Barzani: Kurdish representation in Iraq's military has fallen from 25% to 1%.
• Barzani: Baghdad has taken no effective measures to protect the Kurdistan Region's oil and gas fields.
• Barzani: Committees formed to address the attacks have produced no tangible results.
• Barzani: "If the Iraqi government cannot protect its own land and airspace sovereignty, how can it protect the lives of its citizens?"

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Kurdish Representation in Security Institutions Declines

Chiman Barzani, a member of the Security and Defense Committee in the Iraqi Council of Representatives, said Kurdish participation in Iraq's army and security forces has declined significantly.

According to Barzani, Kurds held around 25% of positions in these institutions following the 2003 change in Iraq, but that figure has now dropped to 1%.

Criticism Over Protection of Energy Infrastructure

Barzani accused the federal government of failing to protect the Kurdistan Region's oil and gas fields from ongoing attacks.

She said Baghdad has not taken practical steps to secure the energy facilities, adding that although several committees have been established to address the issue, they have not produced results or prevented further attacks.

Questions Over Iraq's Ability to Protect Sovereignty

Barzani also questioned the federal government's ability to safeguard Iraq's sovereignty and protect its citizens.

"If the Iraqi government cannot protect its own land and airspace sovereignty, how can it protect the lives of its citizens?" she said.

She added that ensuring the security of the Kurdistan Region and its strategic infrastructure is a federal responsibility, arguing that the government has so far failed to fulfill that obligation.

News Lens

The remarks come amid continued attacks targeting oil and gas facilities in the Kurdistan Region, which have disrupted energy production and renewed debate over the federal government's responsibility to protect strategic infrastructure. The incidents have also intensified discussions over security coordination between Baghdad and Erbil and the protection of critical energy assets.