The visit is set to focus on economic, security, and cultural cooperation. [Getty]
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani is expected to arrive in the United Kingdom for an official visit on Monday aimed at strengthening bilateral ties amid escalating tensions with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) over oil revenue and public salaries.
The visit, announced by Al-Sudani’s media office, is set to focus on economic, security, and cultural cooperation. During his trip, Al-Sudani is scheduled to meet King Charles III and hold discussions with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He will also engage with senior British officials, business leaders, and research institutions to bolster academic and policy partnerships.
Writing in The Telegraph on Sunday, Al-Sudani highlighted the potential of the UK-Iraq partnership and underscored Iraq’s progress toward stability. He called for international support to address challenges in the Middle East, including the new government in Syria, and emphasised the need to protect minorities and Syria’s diverse social fabric.
Economic agenda
Al-Sudani’s agenda includes efforts to attract British investment in Iraq’s oil and gas fields, such as Rumaila and Kirkuk, as well as renewable energy projects. He is also expected to announce multi-billion-dollar infrastructure projects, including the Development Road initiative, which aims to establish Iraq as a global trade hub linking East and West. Additional discussions will cover collaboration in technology, defence, and education.
Accompanying the Iraqi prime minister is a high-level delegation of ministers, parliamentarians, the governor of Basra, and private sector representatives, reflecting Iraq’s commitment to fostering comprehensive cooperation with the UK.
Al-Sudani’s visit coincides with heightened tensions between Baghdad and the KRG over stalled employee salaries and oil revenues.
Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, visited Baghdad on Sunday evening to address the long-standing dispute over employee salaries, which have been stalled for months.
Barzani met with Iraqi leaders, including Al-Sudani and Speaker of Parliament Mahmoud Al-Mashhadani. A joint statement emphasised that the salary issue is unrelated to political agendas. However, tensions remain high after Kurdish officials hinted at withdrawing from Iraq’s political process due to Baghdad’s failure to release funds.
KRG officials accuse Baghdad of failing to release funds allocated in the federal budget, with KRG spokesperson Peshwa Haramani alleging that Iraq’s Ministry of Finance has ignored a Federal Supreme Court ruling on salary payments.Â
The Kurdistan Democratic Party(KDP) meanwhile, is advocating for the resumption of oil exports to Turkey without Baghdad’s approval, a move critics say could destabilise the region.
On Monday, the KRG accused Baghdad of attempting to seize control of Kirkuk’s Khurmala oil fields, a major production site accounting for one-third of the region’s oil output. Control over the field has been a point of contention since the KDP took over its operations in 2008.
Kurdish-Iraqi tensions
The KRG has cited Articles 140 and 112 of Iraq’s 2005 Constitution, which outline the management of disputed territories and revenue-sharing frameworks. Baghdad, however, is accused of bypassing these provisions, particularly the referendum mandated under Article 140 for Kirkuk and other disputed areas. The deadline for the referendum passed two decades ago, further complicating the issue.
The Iraqi Ministry of Finance has defended its adherence to the 2023 Federal General Budget Law, stating it has disbursed 9.55 trillion dinars (around $7.3 billion) for KRG employee salaries, pensions, and social welfare programs. The ministry has accused the KRG of failing to deliver non-oil revenues amounting to 4.35 trillion dinars (around $3.3 billion), as required by law. Additionally, Baghdad has criticised the KRG for not implementing salary localisation measures to regularise payments.
Al-Sudani’s UK visit underscores Iraq’s efforts to strengthen international ties while navigating internal challenges. The outcomes of his discussions with British leaders could shape Iraq’s global standing and its ability to manage domestic disputes.
The KRG, in a statement on Monday, reaffirmed its commitment to defending its constitutional rights and prioritising the welfare of its people, including those in Kirkuk. Meanwhile, Britain’s engagement highlights its interest in promoting stability in the region.
As Al-Sudani balances diplomacy abroad and political tensions at home, his leadership faces a critical test. The interplay between securing international partnerships and resolving internal discord will likely define Iraq’s trajectory in the months ahead.
