Kurdistan Region says it backs Baghdad on Iraq's two main crises

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Kurdistan Region's presidency said relations between Erbil and Baghdad are at a strong level and continuing to develop, and expressed readiness to help Baghdad deal with two pressing challenges facing Iraq. Speaking at a press conference in Baghdad, Region presidency spokesperson Dilshad Shihab said Iraq is grappling with an economic crisis linked to the export of Iraqi oil through the Strait of Hormuz amid the war between Iran, the United States and Israel, as well as a security dispute over how to handle weapons held by armed groups outside state control. Shihab said Iraq has no margin to absorb additional problems while it works to resolve those two issues. He described Region President Nechirvan Barzani's participation in the State Administration Coalition meeting in Baghdad as evidence that the Kurdistan Region is prepared to give full support to the federal government. According to Shihab, the government of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani has shown real willingness to resolve internal matters and outstanding files with the Region, and the Kurdistan Region will continue to back reform efforts and steps toward resolving outstanding disputes.