Kurdish Autonomous Region

The Kurdish Autonomous Region (Başûrê Kurdistanê in Kurdish) is a political entity established in 1970 following the agreement of an Autonomy Accord between the government of Iraq and leaders of the Iraqi Kurdish community. A Legislative Assembly was established in the city of Arbil with theoretical authority over the Kurdish-populated provinces of Arbil, Dahuk and As Sulaymaniyah.

Kurdistan Regional Government

Since 1992, the Kurdistan Regional Government has been based in Erbil. The KRG has a parliament, called the Iraqi Kurdistan National Assembly, and a cabinet composed of the KDP and its allies (Iraqi Communist Party). Nechervan Idris Barzani has been prime minister of the KRG since 1999. Meanwhile, the provisional capital of the PUK-controlled area is in As Sulaymaniyah further south.

Related Topics:
1992 - Iraqi Communist Party - Nechervan Idris Barzani - 1999 - As Sulaymaniyah

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The main Kurdish parties and peshmerga collaborated with the Coalition during the 2003 invasion of Iraq that led to Hussein's overthrow, and came to be represented in the Iraqi governing council. The Law of Administration for the State of Iraq for the Transitional Period recognizes the autonomy of the Kurdistan Regional Government during the interim between "full sovereignty" and the eventual adoption of a permanent constitution.

Related Topics:
Peshmerga - 2003 invasion of Iraq - Iraqi governing council - Law of Administration for the State of Iraq for the Transitional Period

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The Kurdistan Regional Government currently has de facto authority over the provinces of Erbil, Dohuk, and Suleimaniya, as well as parts of Diyala and Ninawa. The KRG also claims Kirkuk (at-Ta'mim) province and larger parts of Diyala and Ninawa.

Related Topics:
Erbil - Dohuk - Suleimaniya - Diyala - Ninawa - Kirkuk (at-Ta'mim)

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The future of the autonomous region is uncertain. The Kurds' strong desire to retain their hard-won autonomy means that it is likely that some kind of federal or at least highly devolved political system will be implemented, with the Kurdish Autonomous Region continuing to exist in some form. One particularly difficult issue yet to be resolved is the future boundaries of the region. Many Kurds wish it to be expanded to include the largely Kurdish cities of Mosul and Kirkuk, but this is complicated by the large Assyrian, Turkmen and Arab populations of both cities and the opposition of Turkey, which is concerned about the region's potential to break away from Iraq (with possible consequences for its own Kurdish minority).

Related Topics:
Mosul - Kirkuk - Assyrian - Turkmen - Arab

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The Democratic Patriotic Alliance of Kurdistan won a commanding majority in the Kurdistan National Assembly election on 30 January 2005, as well as 75 seats in the federal National Assembly of the Iraqi Transitional Government.

Related Topics:
Democratic Patriotic Alliance of Kurdistan - Kurdistan National Assembly election - 30 January - 2005 - Iraqi Transitional Government

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