[fella]

This sounds as if the Kurds now have access to the sea. If true then that is a major thing.

[deks]

This sounds as if the Kurds now have access to the sea.

. . . .pipeline to Turkish port

First Oil Cargo From Disputed Kurd Pipeline Set For Israel

Tanker Due To Dock At Ashkelon By Saturday

LONDON, June 20, (RTRS): Iraqi Kurdistan looked set to unload in Israel a first cargo of disputed crude oil from its new pipeline after weeks of seeking an outlet as Iraq’s central government has threatened legal action against any buyer.

The SCF Altai tanker was anchored near Israel’s Ashkelon port early on Friday morning, ship tracking and industry sources said. The tanker is expected to dock early on Saturday, local sources said.

Securing the first sale of oil from its independent pipeline to the Turkish port of Ceyhan is crucial for the Kurdish Regional Government as it seeks greater financial independence from war-torn Iraq.

But the new export route to Turkey, built to bypass Baghdad’s federal pipeline system, has created a bitter dispute over oil sale rights between the central government and the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG).

Click for >> Arab Times article

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"This sounds as if the Kurds now have access to the sea. If true then that is a major thing."

The article says through Turkey. If the Kurds and Turks are willing to start cooperating (i.e. kiss and make up) this could bode poorly for Iraq staying together.