20 illegal border crossings in Iraqi Kurdistan used for oil smuggling

Iraq’s parliamentary Integrity Committee says there are 20 unofficial border crossings in Iraqi Kurdistan used for smuggling oil, cigarettes, and drugs

BAGHDAD,— More than 20 unofficial border crossings operate in the Kurdistan region, facilitating the smuggling of oil, cigarettes, and drugs, according to a member of Iraq’s Parliamentary Integrity Committee.

Hadi Al-Salami, a lawmaker on the committee, told Alsumaria News on Monday that the Council of Ministers had sent a report confirming the existence of these crossings, which are not under federal oversight.

“The case has been referred to the Public Prosecution and the Federal Integrity Commission for legal proceedings,” Al-Salami said. However, he criticized the federal government, stating that the Council of Ministers and the Ministry of Finance had not taken adequate steps to hold officials in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) accountable or to curb smuggling operations.

According to Al-Salami, the KRG has failed to comply with Iraq’s tax and customs regulations and currently owes over 4.5 trillion Iraqi dinars ($3,43 billion) to the central government. “There is clear negligence, but ultimately, the judiciary will rule on this matter,” he said.

The issue of Kurdistan’s border crossings has drawn broader scrutiny. Rafiq Al-Salhi, a member of the Parliamentary Agriculture, Water, and Marshlands Committee, recently urged the government to enforce stricter controls, citing concerns that agricultural products were also being smuggled through these crossings.

A separate report released by an NGO watchdog revealed that Iraqi Kurdistan’s oil revenues reached $3.84 billion in 2024. Of this, oil companies earned $1.12 billion, while the KRG collected $2.72 billion.

Watchdog organizations, lawmakers, and leaked documents have raised concerns over alleged financial mismanagement, stating that billions of dollars from oil revenues remain unaccounted for.

Critics and observers have long accused the ruling Barzani family of nepotism and benefiting from oil wealth while neglecting public services.

The Kurdistan region has been described as one of Iraq’s most corrupt areas in Iraq, with ongoing accusations of stealing public money and misusing government funds.

For decades, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), led by the Barzani clan, and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), associated with the Talabani family, have dominated the Kurdish region. Both political entities are frequently accused of corruption.

The Barzani and Talabani families have been accused of controlling numerous oil fields across Iraqi Kurdistan.

No official response has been issued by the KRG regarding the latest claims.