But massive yes vote in September 2017 referendum for independence, deemed illegal by Iraq's government, backfired on the oil-rich Kurdish region.. And in another blow, Iraq's March passed budget that saw Kurdistan's slice of the budget drop from 17 percent to 12.6 percent.. ..…

PUK has argued for better relations with Baghdad while KDP has insisted that Kurdistan would strengthen Kurdish government's hand in revenue-sharing and security quarrels with the government of Iraq.. ... Ayoub Abdullah Ismael, Gorran lawmaker, said Kurdish government has been..…

Kurds took control of Kirkuk and other disputed territories in the summer of 2014 as Islamic State group rampaged across northern and Iraq. Iraqi government rejected the referendum, including United States. ..…