ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Indian government suspended visa issuance to Iraqi citizens due to disputes with Baghdad security authorities over the lifting of the concrete security barriers at its embassy.
Rudaw has seen a copy of the statement, which Al Sharqiya reported was hung on the outer embassy walls.
“All consular services, including visa, will remain suspended with effect from July 31, 2018 until the security infrastructure of the embassy are reinstated by the Government of Iraq (Baghdad Operations Command)," it reads.
Baghdad Operations Command acknowledged it has lifted some barriers in the al-Amerat neighborhood in Baghdad where the Indian Embassy is located.
"Baghdad's Municipality requested the lifting of the concrete barriers for the purpose of providing services to citizens and to open and pave streets which are located next to the embassy," read a statement by Baghdad Operations Command on Friday, adding that these streets were previously closed by authorities.
However, it denies the lifting of “any concrete barriers from in front of the embassy," adding that it is "fully secured."
It was unclear if the disagreement in Baghdad would affect the affairs of the Indian Consulate General in Erbil.
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