UN Special Representative for Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, stresses the necessity of federal funding to cover civil servants' salaries in the Kurdistan Region amid ongoing financial disputes between Baghdad and Erbil.

In a briefing to the UN Security Council on the latest developments in Iraq, UN Special Representative for Iraq, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, emphasized the critical need for federal funding to support the Kurdistan Region's civil servants. The ongoing wrangling between the federal government in Baghdad and the Kurdish regional government in Erbil over financial and budgetary issues has left the livelihoods of civil servants in jeopardy.

Hennis-Plasschaert underscored the detrimental impact of the financial disputes on everyday people, stressing that without a sustainable agreement, stability in the region remains precarious. While acknowledging the federal government's recent decision to approve financing for the Kurdistan Region for the month of January, she reiterated the urgent need for a more permanent solution.

The UN envoy highlighted the importance of stability in Iraq amidst ongoing attacks by pro-Iran militia groups against US forces in the region. She condemned recent attacks, including the assault on a US base in Jordan resulting in casualties and the Iranian missile strike in Erbil, which claimed civilian lives, including that of a young girl. Hennis-Plasschaert emphasized Iraq's condemnation of such acts and called for an immediate cessation of all attacks to preserve peace and stability in the region.

Amidst the challenges, Hennis-Plasschaert commended Iraq's progress in reforming its banking system and other governmental institutions, noting its forthcoming membership in the International Labor Organization as a significant milestone that would bolster efforts for Iraq's private sector.

However, the UN envoy also highlighted ongoing challenges, including the postponement of parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan Region and continued disputes over financial matters between Baghdad and Erbil. She urged all sides to work towards a resolution to ensure the well-being and stability of all Iraqis.

As tensions persist in Iraq, the UN envoy's call for federal funding to support civil servants in the Kurdistan Region underscores the pressing need for a sustainable agreement between the federal government and regional authorities to mitigate the impact on everyday people and uphold stability in the region.