Kurdistan Region says border customs dispute with Baghdad resolved, air defense talks continue

ERBIL, Iraq — Kurdistan Region Interior Minister Reber Ahmed said disagreements over the implementation of the Asycuda customs system at the region's border crossings have been resolved, with the file set to be sent to the Federal Council of Ministers after a recent agreement between the parties. Ahmed said the prime minister personally oversaw the matter and that the only outstanding issue discussed had been the distribution of border revenues, which he noted should be split evenly under existing law. The minister added that the system serves the mutual interest of the federal and regional governments. On security cooperation, Ahmed said the Kurdistan government is in contact with Iraq's Chief of Staff over air defense systems, adding that the federal government has pledged to supply such systems to the region. He said the federal government "cannot protect us" and reported a joint commitment to establishing a shared operations center for the management of those systems once delivered. Ahmed also said a detailed report on compensation for damage caused by attacks on the Kurdistan Region has been compiled and submitted to the federal government, but no concrete steps have followed so far. Speaking at an event, the minister said the Anfal operations would leave a lasting mark as evidence of shared life.