Legal Disputes between Iraq and Turkey over the KRG’s Oil Fields and the Implications of the ICC Court’s Ruling on Them

This paper aims to analyze the dispute that arose between the KRG and Iraq on the one hand, and between Iraq and Turkey on the other, over the export of the KRG's crude oil via the Turkish Ceyhan terminal. Through a comprehensive evaluation of the dispute's origins, this study critically examines the relevant constitutional texts and the factors that led to this disagreement developing into an international conflict between Turkey and Iraq. The paper also examines the repercussions of the International Chamber of Commerce Arbitration Court ruling (ICC Court’s ruling) in Paris on the issue. A qualitative research methodology was carefully used, including an analysis of the implications of the ICC Court's decision, to achieve the study's main goal. Ultimately, in contrast to some observers who viewed the repercussions ICC Court's ruling as a major victory for the Iraqi federal government. This article posits that Iraq's victory is unthinkable due to the more complex tripartite relationship between the parties to the dispute, as well as several bilaterally complex issues between Turkey and Iraq. Furthermore, it is predicted that these repercussions will endanger Iraq if this dispute is not settled amicably.