ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Korek Telecom on Sunday criticized a statement by Iraq’s Communications and Media Commission (CMC) on suspending the company’s operations, saying a previous agreement had been reached with higher authorities and that the commission lacked the authority to enforce the decision.

Earlier on Sunday, CMC reaffirmed its efforts to suspend the operations of the Kurdistan Region-based Korek Telecom, citing “applicable legislation” as the basis for the move.

“While this statement did not surprise us, as we have become accustomed to the Commission taking successive arbitrary measures driven by the political faction to which its administration belongs,” Korek said in a statement, without specifying which faction it was referring to.

Under a September 2025 settlement agreement, Korek was set to launch 4G mobile services, but the rollout was later delayed due to the CMC’s “administrative obstacles,” Korek said, citing talks between the sides on the matter until June.

CMC’s executive body “does not have the authority to cancel the settlement,” Korek said, adding that the settlement was approved by “higher authorities.”

In June, CMC canceled its contract with Korek Telecom and suspended its operations over allegedly breaching “contractual obligations and failure to comply with the requirements stipulated in the agreement.”

Later that month, Sirwan Barzani, the CEO of the company, criticized Iraqi authorities for the move, describing the move as “unlawful” and noting that a legal complaint would be filed against the responsible party.

“We look forward to the intervention of the anti-corruption champion, the esteemed Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, to do justice to our company from the injustice it has suffered and continues to suffer,” Korek’s Sunday statement added.

In November 2023, Iraq’s CMC blocked all incoming and outgoing communications between Korek and other carriers, citing Korek’s failure to pay its financial obligations.

Ever since, the Kurdish telecommunications company has faced disruptions and challenges.

In September 2024, the CMC announced that they have reached a settlement over Korek’s unpaid financial obligations and debts. Despite this, Korek’s external telecommunications were not restored.

In February, the Iraqi regulator said it had decided to immediately shut down Korek Telecom’s internet services in a “punitive action” against the carrier over its failure to pay its debts.

Korek slammed the CMC’s decision to shut down its internet services as an “unprecedented” and “blatant violation of the law,” claiming that the move reflects “political pressure aimed at eliminating our company in favor of other entities.”