Kurdistan Region Proposes Joint Control of Ibrahim Khalil Crossing to Iraqi Government

On Thursday, November 2, the Kurdistan Region of Iraq proposed that its forces jointly control the Ibrahim Khalil crossing, located on the Turkish border, in collaboration with the central government and the U.S.-led international coalition. This proposal was made as Iraqi central government forces threatened to resume operations against Kurdish Peshmerga forces. The central government accuses the Kurdistan Region of delaying the handover of border crossings and claims that Peshmerga forces are using the opportunity of negotiations to strengthen their military positions. Following the independence referendum in the Kurdistan Region, relations between Baghdad and Erbil have deteriorated. The central government declared this referendum illegal and demanded that the Kurdistan Region hand over all border crossings to it. Baghdad also took control of the oil-rich Kirkuk province by deploying its forces there. Additionally, Baghdad has banned all international flights to and from the Kurdistan Region. In the past two weeks, sporadic clashes have occurred between the forces of the Kurdistan Region and the central government. Meanwhile, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi reiterated on Tuesday, October 31, that the Kurdistan Region must hand over all border crossings to the central government. According to reports, the Kurdistan Region has attempted to prevent the escalation of this crisis by proposing negotiations over the past week. The Kurdistan Region's Ministry of Defense announced on Wednesday, November 1, that the proposal for joint control of the Ibrahim Khalil border was presented to Baghdad as part of a 'dispute resolution' plan. This plan also includes a ceasefire on all fronts, continued cooperation in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS), and the deployment of joint forces in disputed areas to Baghdad. According to Reuters, the Kurdistan Region welcomed the continuation of the ceasefire on all fronts, dispute resolution, and the initiation of political dialogue in its statement. On Friday, the Iraqi Prime Minister ordered the suspension of operations against Kurdish forces. Since then, both sides have gone to the negotiating table. The Iraqi Prime Minister emphasized that political issues would not be discussed until the Kurdistan Region retracts its independence referendum. The Kurdistan Region considered its proposal for joint control of the Ibrahim Khalil border as a sign of goodwill to build trust between Baghdad and Erbil, aiming for a permanent agreement through further negotiations according to the Iraqi constitution.