As Iraq fights ISIL, tension over oil boils

Global Business

The Iraqi coalition against ISIL insurgents seems to be starting to splinter into a feud between Iraqi Kurds and the Baghdad government over who will sell Iraq’s oil. It is undercutting the country’s fight against the terror group ISIL.

CCTV’s Jessica Stone filed this report.

As Iraq fights ISIL, tension over oil boils

The Iraqi coalition against ISIL insurgents seems to be starting to splinter into a feud between Iraqi Kurds and the Baghdad government over who will sell Iraq’s oil. It is undercutting the country’s fight against the terror group ISIL. CCTV’s Jessica Stone filed this report.

More details:

  • Iraq has reportedly been having a hard time paying for its war against ISIL.
  • Iraqi Kurds are said to be selling oil on their own – more than 600,000 barrels a day, which violates a 2014 agreement with the Kurds to transfer their oil to Baghdad for sale.
  • The Kurds say they need to sell their own oil, in part, because their fighters haven’t been paid, which hurts morale on the front-lines at a time when 1/3 of Iraq is still in ISIL control

Bessma Momani talks about ISIL’s independence on oil revenue
CCTV America’s Phillip Yin spoke to Bessma Momani, associate professor at the University of Waterloo in Canada. Momani was asked how dependent ISIL is on oil revenue.

Bessma Momani talks about ISIL\'s independence on oil revenue

CCTV America's Phillip Yin spoke to Bessma Momani, associate professor at the University of Waterloo in Canada. Momani was asked how dependent ISIL is on oil revenue.