ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraq’s political landscape is witnessing a growing wave of demands to establish new provinces, in the wake of the official recognition of Halabja as the country’s 19th province earlier this month.

Such calls, gaining traction in political and social circles, reflect a push from several administrative areas seeking legal and administrative independence. Supporters say such a move would elevate local representation and improve access to government services and development opportunities.

Although calls to create new provinces are not new in Iraq, the example of Halabja’s ascension to provincial status has reignited the issue. Advocates argue that administrative and service-related marginalization necessitates these changes, allowing communities to bypass reliance on larger provincial centers.

However, observers caution that such aspirations are hindered by Iraq’s economic constraints, as well as political concerns. The continued global decline in oil prices, the country's primary source of revenue, casts doubt on the feasibility of further administrative expansions, which could strain the federal budget.

No government plans for additional provinces

A senior Iraqi government source told The New Region that the federal government has no plans or official direction to create new provinces at this time.

“Any such decision or proposal will not receive government support and will be met with rejection due to the additional financial burdens it would impose on the country,” the source said, requesting anonymity.

The official said that establishing a new province would entail financial and administrative obligations that are unmanageable in the current economic climate. “It would require an independent budget similar to other provinces, which is simply not feasible right now,” the source said. “Iraq is experiencing a financially sensitive period due to falling oil prices, pushing the country toward a deepening economic crisis.”

He said the government is prioritizing rationalizing public spending and ensuring fiscal stability. “This phase requires rational and responsible decisions, not risky expansionary steps that would increase spending and worsen the deficit,” the source said.

He added that the media discourse around new provinces largely stems from television discussions and political talk shows. “These do not amount to official demands or serious initiatives backed by formal documents submitted to the relevant authorities,” he said.

Parliament committee: Halabja met legal and administrative criteria

The legal committee in Parliament affirmed that no administrative unit can be elevated to provincial status unless it meets specific criteria.

“The Parliament does not move toward upgrading a city to a province unless it fulfills the administrative requirements,” the committee said, noting that Halabja’s accesion to provincial status complied with legal standards.

In statements monitored by The New Region, the committee said other cities under consideration are subject to legal reviews by the Ministry of Planning and other authorities. “This is not a process driven by political pressure,” the committee added, warning that some political forces are pushing for administrative changes to consolidate control over strategic areas.

The push to designate new provinces includes proposals for al-Zubair in southern Iraq and Khanaqin in Diyala province, a Kurdish-majority district. These demands have intensified in the wake of Halabja’s recognition.

“Transforming any administrative unit into a province involves long, complex procedures involving several government agencies,” said Sherwan al-Dobardani, a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Regions and Provinces. “More than 300 clauses from the Ministry of Planning and other ministries must be addressed. Under Law No. 21, the provincial council alone is authorized to initiate this process through a formal request and vote.”

Political analyst Duraid Nasser told The New Region that current demands are a continuation of efforts from the era of former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. “Several districts submitted requests to become provinces during that time, but the matter was closed for political, administrative, and economic reasons,” he said.

Nasser said the calls stem from two main factors: a widespread sense of marginalization and political exploitation.

“There is a belief among many Iraqis that making their area a province would grant them more services, better budget allocations, and political representation,” he said. “While this belief is common, it often lacks grounding in reality and stems from a cumulative feeling of injustice and unequal resource distribution.”

The second factor, he said, involves powerful political and economic forces exploiting these demands to expand control over local resources. “Some groups are aiming to convert vital areas into provinces to dominate their administration and assets,” Nasser said. “This undermines local governance and transforms public demands into partisan projects.”

He described efforts to separate al-Zubair from Basra province as particularly concerning. “al-Zubair is a vital area due to its Gulf coastline, proximity to Kuwait, oil reserves, and strategic facilities; it’s Iraq’s only deep-sea outlet,” he said.

Nasser warned that armed groups and influential factions are pushing for the separation for economic and geopolitical reasons, fueling intense competition among power brokers within Basra.

“This unofficial division of influence within the province reflects a growing, dangerous dynamic,” he said. “We must not feed this issue without a thorough national evaluation. The answer is not redrawing administrative maps but enhancing governance and ensuring equitable distribution of resources.”

Beyond al-Zubair and Khanaqin, political forces have also called for provincial status for Tal Afar in Nineveh province and Tuz Khurmatu in Salahuddin, among others.

According to Article 23 of the internal regulations of the Iraqi Council of Representatives, a quorum is achieved with an absolute majority. Decisions are passed by a simple majority of those present, and the council holds legislative authority to establish new provinces.

Economic realities cloud expansion plans

On March 13, 2023, the Council of Ministers approved the draft law that officially made Halabja a province, even though it had previously been declared a province by the Kurdistan Region.

Despite legal avenues being open, economist Abdul Adel Naem said Iraq’s economic crisis makes the creation of new provinces highly unlikely.

“Legally, there is no issue if Parliament approves, but economically, it imposes significant burdens,” Naem told The New Region. “The country is facing a critical financial situation due to declining oil prices.”

He said establishing a new province would require an independent budget, widening Iraq’s fiscal deficit and worsening the revenue shortfall. “More than 70 percent of the operating budget goes to salaries, subsidies, and debt repayments,” he said, adding that the country is grappling with both domestic and foreign debt.

“The government must act rationally, cut spending, and direct resources to investment projects that can generate revenue and offset oil price volatility,” Naem said. “This volatility has repeatedly threatened Iraq’s economy.”

Naem emphasized that the current conditions do not support any new administrative or financial expansions. “Creating a new province is unlikely in the foreseeable future,” he said.

Two years ago, Jawad al-Yasari, a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Regions and Provinces, said new provinces were needed due to Iraq’s growing population and outdated administrative structures. He highlighted northern Wasit, the areas between Karbala, Babil, and Najaf, and Basra as candidates. He said he had contacted the Ministry of Planning to propose new sub-districts and promote some to district status based on approved criteria.