Iran’s shadow looms large over southeastern Iraqi Kurdistan
The recent bust of a major fraud and smuggling network at one of Iraqi Kurdistan's border crossings has drawn attention to the power wielded by Iran in that area, both on the local economy and on local water supplies due to dams built in recent years.
KALAR, Iraqi Kurdistan — In this southeastern corner of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Iranian influence is clear and of concern to many in the area amid reports of cross-border fraud and smuggling networks.
Dams built by Iran threatening to severely decrease water supplies available for local production may also negatively impact the future of the area.
The Finance Ministry of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) announced earlier this month that a vast smuggling network had been discovered at a border crossing with Iran but did not specify which border crossing.
The crossing referred to was that of Parvizkhan, in the administrative area of Garmiyan in the far southeastern part of Iraqi Kurdistan, officials were quoted by local media outlet Rudaw as saying.
