Kurdish Party Exit Threatens Stability as Iran Watches
The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan has withdrawn from the regional cabinet, deepening a political split that analysts say could benefit Tehran in the absence of US troops.
By Evelyn Adeyemi ·
The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) announced on Thursday that it is withdrawing from the Kurdistan Regional Government cabinet. The decision creates a governance vacuum in northern Iraq just as Tehran intensifies pressure on the region. Analysts warn that the resulting instability may serve Iranian strategic interests, particularly following the United States military withdrawal that concluded on September 30.
PUK leader Bafel Talabani issued the declaration via a video message, citing the reactivation of the Kurdistan Parliament without PUK participation. He declared the legislature illegitimate and stated that the current government has failed. Talabani said his party would immediately exit the administration and focus its resources on serving constituents in areas where the PUK holds power, including Sulaimani and Halabja.
The parliamentary reactivation occurred on Wednesday in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region. Fifty-two lawmakers attended the session, surpassing the required quorum of 51 in the 100-seat chamber. The attendees unanimously elected Vala Farid, a Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) politician, as speaker. Rami Noori, the Christian quota representative, was elected deputy speaker, and Muna Qahwachi, the Turkmen quota representative, was elected secretary. The KDP holds 39 seats in the legislature, while the PUK holds 23.
The split between the PUK and the KDP, which leads the regional government, has historical roots. In 2017, PUK forces withdrew from Kirkuk when Iraqi federal troops advanced on the city. At that time, observers believed the PUK had reached a tacit understanding with Baghdad and Tehran. The PUK, headquartered in Sulaimaniyah, has long maintained closer political ties with Iran than its rival, the KDP.
Tehran has recently increased military activity against the Kurdistan Region using drones and missiles. Iran has also urged Baghdad to expel Kurdish Iranian opposition groups based in the north. With US forces gone, Iran appears to be exploiting the internal division to expand its influence. The PUK’s exit from the cabinet complicates efforts to present a unified front against these external pressures.
Shafaq News published an analysis focusing on KRG President Nechirvan Barzani’s approach to the crisis. The report described his strategy of strategic patience as a tool for maintaining external balances. However, it argued that this pragmatism may prolong domestic crises if it prioritizes de-escalation over reform. The analysis suggested that governing parties share responsibility for allowing institutional problems to fester rather than unifying decision-making centers.
US Envoy Tom Barrack visited Baghdad on November 5 to meet with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. Barrack described the Middle East as a complex puzzle that requires regional nations to solve it collectively. He stated that Iraq is choosing sovereignty over dependency and partnership over proxy arrangements. Barrack added that the United States intends to deepen economic and commercial ties with Baghdad to support this shift.
