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.. Baghdad over the presidency has contributed to in Kurdish that Sunday's..…

By independence bid, ERBIL SULAIMANIYA, Iraq - One of Kurdish parties Iraq might not recognize the results of Sunday's election and then appeared to backtrack, injecting uncertainty into region demoralized... Iraqi Kurdish Masrour Barzani, casts his vote, during..…

IRBIL, Iraq — Iraq's self-ruled Kurdish region was holding long-delayed parliamentary elections on Sunday, year leaving Kurdish leaders deeply divided.. ... Baghdad government, shut down Kurdish region's airports and border crossings in response to the referendum. ..…

The central government imposed economic sanctions on the northern region and sent federal troops to push Kurdish forces out of oil fields vital for the region's economy, shrinking the turnout in recent elections. . Iraq's parliament passed a budget in March that saw Kurdistan's slice of the..…