With Iraqi-Kurdish Talks Stalled, Phone Diplomacy Averts New Clashes
that The prime minister has, through various channels, maintained such contacts with the federal government,
Bafel Talabani said the base deal would have given Mr. Abadi a political win amid the nationalist fervor in Baghdad,
as well as allow Kurds to keep a toehold in what to many leaders is an essential piece to their independence plans.
that We had to get political approval for any deal,
These relationships have helped avert any new clashes near the border, despite a buildup of Iraqi forces,
and helped keep the trade corridor open and oil exports flowing, albeit at a reduced rate, according to Turkish and Iraqi officials.
He proposed a plan that would have troops from the American-led coalition against the Islamic State take over a large military
base near the oil-rich town of Kirkuk, along with federal forces and Kurdish forces loyal to his father’s party.
With tensions boiling, Baghdad on Oct. 28 announced a cease-fire
and a round of negotiations between Iraqi and Kurdish military commanders, ostensibly to allow federal forces to take over the border without further bloodshed.