A Kurdish identity, a Shia political alignment, and a regional crisis revealing deeper divisions inside Iraq’s power structure
March 22, 2026 — By Pshtiwan Faraj
The ongoing political and fiscal tensions between Erbil and Baghdad are exposing deeper ethnic and sectarian dynamics within Iraq’s political landscape, with one of the most vocal parliamentary blocs opposing the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) led by a prominent Feyli Kurdish figure.
The Asas coalition, headed by Mohsen al-Mandalawi, has emerged as one of the most critical voices in the Iraqi parliament against the KRG, particularly over disputes involving budget transfers, public sector salaries and oil revenue sharing.
Members of the coalition have argued that the KRG’s salary payments have been effectively sustained through federal revenues derived largely from southern oil-producing regions such as Basra.
They have also criticized the KRG for imposing conditions on the resumption of Iraqi oil exports, a key issue in negotiations between Erbil and Baghdad that has repeatedly stalled over technical and political disagreements.
The disputes come at a time when Iraq’s broader economic framework remains under strain from fluctuating oil prices, domestic spending pressures and ongoing debates over federal authority versus regional autonomy.
A Kurdish Identity Within Shia Political Structures
What distinguishes the Asas coalition is not only its political stance but also the background of its leader. Mandalawi, who is of Feyli Kurdish origin, has publicly identified as Kurdish and is fluent in the Kurdish language, while also being deeply embedded in Iraq’s Shia political establishment.
Despite this identity, his coalition has aligned closely with political forces considered sympathetic to Iran and has taken positions critical of the KRG, reflecting a political orientation shaped more by sectarian and institutional affiliations than ethnic nationalism.
Mandalawi was among eight members elected from his list, which has drawn support from segments of Iraq’s Feyli Kurdish population, particularly in Baghdad, a major hub for Feyli communities.
Feyli Kurds and Political Integration
Analysts say the coalition’s positioning reflects a broader pattern among Feyli Kurds in Iraq, many of whom are integrated into Shia political networks and institutions rather than Kurdish nationalist movements centered in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah.
While Feyli Kurds maintain a distinct ethnic identity, their political alignment often varies depending on geographic, sectarian and historical factors. In urban centers like Baghdad, political participation has frequently been channeled through Shia-led parties and alliances.
This does not imply a rejection of Kurdish identity, but rather highlights the layered and sometimes overlapping nature of ethnic and political affiliations within Iraq’s complex system.
The dynamics observed in Iraq may also offer insight into similar communities across the border in Iran, where sizable populations of Shia Feyli Kurds reside in provinces such as Kermanshah and Ilam.
In these regions, integration into the broader political structure has historically coexisted with the preservation of Kurdish cultural identity. Observers say the Iraqi experience underscores how ethnic groups can maintain identity while aligning politically with dominant state institutions.
A Fragmented Political Landscape
The Erbil–Baghdad dispute continues to reflect not only constitutional and fiscal disagreements but also the fragmentation of political identity across Iraq’s diverse population.
As negotiations over oil exports, budget allocations and administrative authority persist, the influence of blocs such as the Asas coalition illustrates how internal political alignments — shaped by a mix of ethnicity, sectarianism and strategic interests — can complicate efforts to reach durable agreements.
For now, the dispute remains unresolved, with no clear timeline for a comprehensive settlement between Iraq’s federal government and the Kurdistan Region.
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