On 22 September, Services Parliamentary Bloc head Kazim al-Shammari told Al-Ahad TV (AAH — official) that 20 crossings in the Kurdistan Region were outside central-government control. He alleged that revenue from unofficial crossings went to smugglers and described crossings and customs as a serious problem. No Kurdish or Iraqi authority was cited as confirming the allegations.
- Al-Ahad TVAAH — official22 Sept, 21:52
“We have a real problem with crossings and customs; 20 crossings in Kurdistan are outside central-government control; revenue from unofficial crossings in Kurdistan goes to smugglers.”
لدينا مشكلة حقيقية في المنافذ والكمارك؛ 20 منفذ في كردستان خارج سيطرة الحكومة المركزية؛ واردات المنافذ غير الرسمية في كردستان تذهب للقجقجية
identification of the crossings, a customs audit, a Baghdad enforcement order or a Kurdish rebuttal; any of these moves this file.