Noting that OPEC will reduce oil exports from Basra because the region sells and exports oil unofficially, the Parliamentary Oil and Natural Resources Committee urged the federal government to intervene to stop oil smuggling by Kurdistan on Tuesday.
“The oil smuggling operations taking place by the Kurdistan Region require the federal government to intervene in this file, as it is an internal matter, especially since the government has great support from the political blocs that run the country,” committee member Bassem Al-Gharibawi stated.
He went on to say, “At a time when the government has worked to arm Kurdistan and provide it with advanced artillery that may be used at another time against the security forces, the regional government does not recognize the Iraqi state.”
He elaborated, “Iraq is still committed to OPEC, as it has become clear to the organization that Iraq produces and sells oil through the region at a rate of 300,000 barrels, and therefore the organization is cutting this amount from the share that is scheduled to be exported by Iraq, and this matter harms Basra’s exports without affecting the region, as it does not have official dealings to sell oil.” He stated that “Iraq is still committed to OPEC.”
