The transfer eased the buildup of tensions following the killing of an intelligence officer, which the KDP blamed on the PUK.
The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) political social gathering in northern Iraq has ended a months-long boycott of Kurdish regional authorities cupboard conferences with its fundamental coalition associate, the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Social gathering (KDP).
The transfer eased tensions between the 2 factions that fought a civil warfare within the Nineteen Nineties and assuaged Western fears of a deepening rift between the PUK and the KDP, which performed a significant position within the struggle towards ISIL (ISIS).
The PUK has been boycotting cupboard conferences since Hawker Abdullah Rasool, an intelligence officer who labored for twenty years for the PUK, was killed in his SUV in a bomb assault in Erbil on October 7, 2022, in response to three Kurdish authorities officers who spoke to Reuters. . situation of anonymity.
The PUK is a junior coalition associate of the KDP with Iraqi Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, with whom he has a protracted historical past of combating for affect and energy. The PUK leads the Talabani clan.
Final yr, the KDP overtly blamed the PUK for the daring assassination of Rasul, sparking a sequence of incidents that violated the power-sharing settlement.
The PUK categorically denies the allegations, saying they’re politically motivated.
On November 9, PUK chief Bafel Talabani flew to KDP-controlled Erbil, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, dozens of safety officers and one of many males needed for Rasul’s homicide.
The group couldn’t go away the airport till the president intervened, a supply instructed Reuters.
I used to be completely happy to host DPM @qubajt for lunch right this moment.
Within the spirit of a constructive and open dialogue, we mentioned points within the authorities and agreed on methods to maneuver ahead – mb. pic.twitter.com/yX12hwDrAh
– Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) Could 8, 2023
Political relations continued to deteriorate till PUK ministers boycotted PKK conferences.
Final week, Barzani and Qubad Talabani met for the primary time for the reason that assassination and agreed to work collectively to beat their variations, in response to statements posted on their Twitter accounts, together with a photograph of them taking a look at one another and smiling.
The breakthrough got here simply days after a US International Workplace delegation that included Barbara Leaf, Assistant Secretary of State for Center East Affairs, visited Erbil and met with leaders from each events.
Analysts say the cut up is a significant distraction from what the federal government must be doing to deal with civil service issues and excessive unemployment within the oil and gasoline wealthy area.
