Written from the perspective of evaluating the situation in Iraqi Kurdistan in the context of Iraqi Kurds seeking asylum in Europe, this paper offers some insights into current conditions in the north:

Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe, 10 Jul 07:

The Socio-Economic Situation in the KRG Administrated Provinces Sulaimaniyah, Erbil and Dohuk
Since the end of the Kurdish civil war (1994-1998) and mostly since the fall of the Ba'athist regime in 2003, the KRG-area is relatively stable and peaceful compared to the rest of Iraq. However, the security situation remains tense and unpredictable due to a number of political factors. Despite the recent unification of the two KRG ad-ministrations, the exercise of joint control between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) still needs to be demonstrated. But there are also socio-economic reasons for the continuing tension. Growing dissatisfaction over corruption, restrictions on human rights, malfunctioning infrastructure, electricity and clean water provision generate regular demonstrations and public unrest across the KRG-administered area......