Iraq: Iran reopens border crossing to Kurdistan region Oct. 25

Event

Iran reopened the Bashmagh border crossing (50 km [31 mi] east of Sulaymaniyah) to Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) on Wednesday, October 25. The Bashmagh crossing connects Iran's Kordestan province with Iraq's Sulaymaniyah province. The reopening of the border crossing, which was closed on October 15 in response to the September 25 Kurdish independence referendum, coincides with the KRG's offer on Wednesday to "freeze" the results of last vote to engage Baghdad in diplomatic negotiations. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi subsequently rejected the offer to "freeze" the referendum results on Thursday, October 26, and demanded that Kurdish leaders annul the referendum and its results and adhere to the Iraqi constitution.

The other border crossings between Iran and Iraqi Kurdistan (Haji Omaran and Parwezkhan) remain closed, and no decision has yet been made whether to reopen them, per a statement made Wednesday by Iran's consulate in Erbil.

Context

These recent developments follow failed negotiations between the central government in Baghdad and the KRG on October 15. The situation currently remains fluid; despite the failed talks, there remains significant international pressure to resolve the conflict diplomatically. On October 17, Massoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), vowed to protect territorial and political gains made by Iraqi Kurds in recent weeks, and continue to seek independence for the region. The same day, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi urged cooperation between Iraqi government and Kurdish Peshmerga forces, and declared the defeat of IS to be the shared priority between the sides.

KRI officially includes three provinces (Erbil, Dahuk, and Sulaymaniyah) protected by a security force (Peshmerga) independent from the Iraqi government. The region held a referendum for independence on September 25, deemed unconstitutional by Baghdad; the "yes" vote for independence won with 92 percent of votes cast.

On September 29, the central Iraqi government in Baghdad banned all international flights to and from Iraqi Kurdistan until further notice, with an exception for humanitarian and emergency flights (pre-approved by Baghdad). On October 2, it was announced that foreigners stranded in Iraqi Kurdistan due to the international flight ban would be permitted to leave the region via domestic flights to Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) without obtaining an Iraqi visa (if they entered the region with a Kurdistan visa).

Advice

Individuals in Iraqi Kurdistan are advised to abstain from all nonessential travel in and around Kirkuk province. Travelers are advised to postpone any trips to KRI until the situation stabilizes. In spite of the current situation, the KRI remains one of the safest areas for foreign travelers in Iraq, though the situation should be closely monitored via local staff, local media, and in-country security specialists.

The security environment in Iraq remains complex. Islamic State (IS) still enjoys freedom of action throughout much of northern and western Iraq and criminal gangs, who often kidnap victims, operate throughout the country. Tribal militias, not answering to the central security apparatus, also exercise effective control over their own territories. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to all travel. ​​