Relations between the two sides deteriorated after the Kurdish region voted for independence in a symbolic yet controversial referendum that was held in September despite Baghdad’s insistence that it violated the constitution.

Al Hayat, the pan-Arab newspaper, reported that The prime minister said that "we do not have a dispute with Kurdistan region or its people. Our outstanding issues with the region stems from transgressions by the Kurdish authorities and their failure to accept the illegality of the referendum."

Meanwhile Abadi has assured Iraqi people that parliamentary and provincial elections will be held in the country in May as scheduled.

In his weekly press conference, the prime minister dismissed any doubts, saying, “The cabinet today reiterated that provincial and parliamentary elections will be held on 12 May 2018.,” Al Abadi said. “There is no reason for delaying the elections.”

According to The Nation the prime minister confirmed that the high electoral commission has confirmed that it is ready to organize both the local and national elections on the same day.

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