BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s self-ruled northern Kurdish region on Thursday started exporting crude oil to the international market through the Turkish port of Ceyhan despite objections from the central government in Baghdad, Turkey’s energy minister said.

The Iraqi government insists it has the sole right to develop and market the country’s natural resources. Since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, the Kurds and Arab-led central government in Baghdad have been at loggerheads over rights to develop resources.