15.03.2026 23:48
The Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq denied the claim that Iraq refused to export oil through the Ceyhan Port in Turkey via pipeline. The KRG stated that oil and natural gas production in the region has stopped due to attacks by militia groups and that there is no oil left to be exported.
The Ministry of Natural Resources of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) reported that production in the region's oil and natural gas fields has stopped due to attacks by "illegal militias" and that there is no oil left to be exported.
KRG'S "CEYHAN" RESPONSE TO IRAQ
A written statement was made by the KRG Ministry of Natural Resources regarding the statements of the Iraqi Ministry of Oil that it did not approve the export of oil through the pipeline to the Ceyhan Port in Turkey from Erbil.
In the statement, which claims that Baghdad's statements distorted the issue and aimed to mislead the public, it was stated, "The current government in Baghdad has imposed a suffocating embargo on the Kurdistan Region since January under the pretext of establishing the Customs Data Automation System (ASYCUDA) and has not allowed traders to obtain dollars. Since then, there has been no commercial activity."
"OIL PRODUCTION HAS STOPPED DUE TO ATTACKS"
In the statement, it was reported that all oil and natural gas fields and refineries have been targeted by "illegal militias," emphasizing that as a result of these attacks, production in the region's oil and natural gas fields has stopped and there is no oil product left to be exported.
The statement evaluated, "Baghdad is not ready to fight these attacks and there are no effective measures to stop them," and used the expressions, "Most of these aggressors receive salaries from Baghdad, are armed, and financed, while the salaries of the Kurdish people are always delayed and sent in amounts less than necessary."
The statement noted that the KRG has "repeatedly called for constructive dialogue, but these calls have been ignored," and added, "An unconstitutional agenda is being attempted to be imposed on the region. We are ready to meet with expert teams to reach a result that will benefit all of Iraq and ensure that Kurdistan is no longer under pressure."
The Iraqi Ministry of Oil had announced that they had initiated efforts to resume exports through the northern line (Ceyhan Port in Turkey) after the halt of oil exports from the southern terminals due to the crisis in the region, but the KRG had not approved this at this stage.