Iraqi–Kurdish conflict

This file photo show Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım (L) with his Iraqi counterpart, Haider al-Abadi during a joint press conference in Baghdad on Jan 7. / AA Photo

Iraq has lifted the ban on international flights to the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) airports, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said in a statement on March 13. 

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has issued a decree formalizing the inclusion of Shi’ite paramilitary groups in the country’s security forces.

Iraq’s government has agreed with Kurdish regional authorities to resume Kirkuk oil exports through Turkey’s Ceyhan port soon, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Feb. 27 without giving a precise timeline for restarting the flow.

Two Seattle-area men face federal charges that they smuggled guns to Turkey, weapons that were ultimately destined for Kurdish Peshmerga forces in Iraq.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım spoke with his Iraqi counterpart Haider al-Abadi over the phone on Jan. 15, according to a Turkish Prime Ministry source.

Iraq remains committed to continuing its cooperation in various areas with Turkey, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said on Jan. 9.

Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq has rejected handing over the border management to the Iraqi federal administration, saying that the law instead provides for joint administration, as Iran re-opened its crossings with the semi-autonomous region.

Rex Tillerson called for a solution to the conflict between Baghdad and Iraqi Kurdistan through dialogue on his unexpected visit to Iraq, BNT reports.

Global crude prices have hit a three-week high as the conflict between Iraqi and Kurdish forces intensifies. Iraqi troops are advancing on the city of Kirkuk, reportedly seizing the region's oil fields.

West Texas Intermediate crude rose 1.6 percent to $52.29 per barrel, setting it on track for its highest settlement price since the end of September, according to FactSet data.