Kurdistan Region of Iraq Ready to Negotiate with Baghdad on International Oversight of Airports

Reports indicate that the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq announced its readiness on Wednesday, October 5, to engage in discussions with the central government of Iraq regarding the establishment of international observers at the airports under the control of this region. Haider al-Abadi, the Prime Minister of Iraq, has given the authorities in this region until Friday to transfer control of the Erbil and Sulaymaniyah airports to the central government of Iraq; otherwise, Baghdad will prohibit all international flights to and from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. This ban will remain in effect until the airports in the region are under the control of the central government. According to the Prime Minister of Iraq, military and humanitarian flights are exempt from this rule. Meanwhile, the Rudaw television network reported that Mawlood Murad, the Minister of Transport of the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq, stated on Wednesday, October 5, that the region's government is 'willing to discuss with the Iraqi government the establishment of international observers at the Erbil and Sulaymaniyah airports.' Mawlood Murad added that he is optimistic that the central government of Iraq will not be able to enforce this ban for a long time. The Minister of Transport of the Kurdistan Region also mentioned that Erbil has 'cards' to respond to the central government. Reports indicate that the flight ban to the airports in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq will not include domestic flights. This comes as the High Commission for Referendum and Elections of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq announced on Wednesday, October 5, that 92.73% of voters voted positively in this referendum, with a participation rate of 72%. The number of participants in the referendum was reported to be three million 305 thousand 925. According to Reuters, holding this referendum has raised concerns about potential new conflicts in the region. The report states that an Iraqi military delegation has traveled to Iran to consult with Tehran officials regarding this matter. According to ISNA, Lieutenant General Osman al-Ghanimi, Chief of Staff of the Iraqi Army, arrived in Tehran on Wednesday evening (October 5) and was welcomed by Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, at the headquarters. The purpose of this visit is described as 'military coordination and cooperation.' The Chief of Staff of the Iraqi Army also met with his Turkish counterpart, Hulusi Akar, in Ankara on Saturday of this week to discuss what was termed 'support for the unity of Iraq and joint efforts against terrorism.' Iran and Turkey opposed the holding of the Kurdistan independence referendum and both countries conducted military maneuvers near the borders of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Reuters reports that several international airlines have suspended their flights to the Sulaymaniyah and Erbil airports before the deadline set by the central government of Iraq. In this context, Ali Shamkhani announced the possibility of sanctions against the Kurdistan Region of Iraq by Iran. More than '92%' of participants in the Kurdistan independence referendum voted positively. The Minister of Transport of the Kurdistan Region rejected Baghdad's deadline for transferring control of the airports. 210 parliament members condemned the Kurdistan referendum. Erdogan told Iraqi Kurds: 'Waving the Israeli flag will not save you.' Al-Abadi's 72-hour deadline for transferring control of the Kurdistan airports to Baghdad.