Iraq has said that oil exports from Kurdistan to Turkey by truck were "illegal," warning Ankara that such trade with the autonomous region could damage its relations with the central government in Baghdad.
Iraq government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said in a statement on July 15 that the oil is the property of all Iraqis and that any exports and revenue collection should be organized by the central government.
Turkey said on July 13 that it had begun importing 5 to 10 road tankers of crude oil a day from the northern region of Iraq and the volume could rise to 100-200 tankers per day.
Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, which borders Turkey, is locked in a dispute with the central Iraqi government over oil exports and energy policy has become a very sensitive topic.
Iraq government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said in a statement on July 15 that the oil is the property of all Iraqis and that any exports and revenue collection should be organized by the central government.
Turkey said on July 13 that it had begun importing 5 to 10 road tankers of crude oil a day from the northern region of Iraq and the volume could rise to 100-200 tankers per day.
Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, which borders Turkey, is locked in a dispute with the central Iraqi government over oil exports and energy policy has become a very sensitive topic.