KURDS OFFER TO SUSPEND DRIVE FOR INDEPENDENCE PENDING CEASEFIRE

The Kurdistan Regional Government offered to suspend its drive for independence Wednesday in return for a promise from Iraq to halt military activity, which has led to the seizure of huge swaths of territory in recent days.

The KRG said it was prepared to “freeze” the results of its September referendum and proposed a ceasefire to prevent further violence, which has left scores dead and tens of thousands displaced.

“As Iraq and Kurdistan are faced with grave and dangerous circumstances, we are all obliged to act responsibly in order to prevent further violence between Iraqi and Peshmerga forces,” the KRG’s statement said.