Independent politician Didar Haval on Thursday alleged that the government led by Masoud Barzani allocates more than 15 billion Iraqi dinars per month to pay salaries for the National Council of Syrian Kurds, raising serious concerns about the use of public funds in the Kurdistan Region.
Speaking to dinaropinions.com, Haval claimed that the Kurdistan Regional Government is withholding the salaries of its own employees while redirecting funds to Kurdish groups in Syria, accusing the Barzani-led administration of attempting to inflame conflicts there in order to secure political influence that could support what he described as ambitions to establish a Kurdish state spanning parts of Syria and Iraq.
He said the primary reason behind repeated delays in paying salaries to Kurdistan Region employees is the transfer of large sums of money to thousands of Kurds in Syria, along with logistical support that allegedly includes weapons and ammunition. According to Haval, these expenses are being covered by the Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Finance without the knowledge or approval of the federal government in Baghdad.
Haval further alleged that the salaries paid to Kurdish forces fighting in Syria serve the political interests of Masoud Barzani, rather than the interests of the Kurdistan Region or its citizens.
He also claimed that Kurdistan Region authorities have issued passports to thousands of Kurds, including individuals wanted by the Iraqi judiciary on terrorism-related charges, describing the issue as a serious legal and security concern.
