ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iraqi Second Deputy Parliament Speaker Shakhwan Abdullah on Saturday said that the Kurdistan Region has upheld its end of a salary agreement with Baghdad and warned that passing the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) law would pose a serious threat to the country.

Speaking at a press conference before Saturday’s parliamentary session, Abdullah discussed several key issues, including the delay in salary payments to Kurdistan Region employees for June, ongoing investigations into recent drone attacks in the Region, and the controversial PMF bill.

Abdullah said the Kurdistan Region had met its obligations by sending oil and non-oil revenues to Baghdad and that it is now up to the federal government to pay salaries.

“The agreement is clear: 120 billion dinars in non-oil revenues plus oil are sent to Baghdad, and in return, salaries should be paid,” he said. “A committee is reviewing the situation, and the revenue figure might change this month.”

He added that the Kurdistan side had completed all steps for the June salaries. “Now we are waiting for the federal government. If no decision is made in today’s cabinet meeting, I will follow up with them tomorrow.”

Abdullah blamed political decisions for the salary delays, saying, “There was never a legal reason to stop salaries. This was a political issue from the beginning.” He noted that the government had previously refused to pay salaries without a Federal Court order but later paid May’s salaries in the absence of such an order.

He also revealed that he met with the US ambassador in Baghdad, who believes the Iraqi government should not delay oil exports or salary payments any further.

On the controversial PMF law, Abdullah warned that passing such legislation would damage Iraq as a whole.

The bill, if passed by the parliament, aims to organize the Popular Mobilization Commission (PMC) similarly to other state security and military agencies, giving them retirement rights and pensions like other members of the official Iraqi security apparatus.

“There are some bills that serve only one group but hurt all Iraqis. Everyone understands this, including Sunnis and Shiites. Passing the PMF law at this time would send the wrong message and create real danger,” he said.

Regarding the spate of drone attacks that have targeted vital oil installations in the Kurdistan Region, Abdullah said they are fully aware of the parties responsible.

“We have the names of those who carried out the drone attacks. Between July 14 and 18, 14 drones were launched at Kurdistan. This was discussed during our meetings in Geneva,” he said.

He also said changes will likely be made to the Kurdistan Region’s share of the 2026 federal budget. “Salaries should be paid through the end of the year, and the Kurdistan Regional Government is fully committed to the agreement with Baghdad,” he said.