Turkey, Iraq, Iran oppose Kurd independence vote
Possibly over 90% say ’yes’, Kurdish TV reports
ERBIL/BAGHDAD,IRAQ: The Iraqi government ruled out talks on Kurdish independence and Turkey threatened to impose a blockade on Tuesday after Iraq’s Kurds defied their neighbours and their US allies to stage a referendum that strongly backed secession.
Iran also vowed to stand alongside Iraq and Turkey against the outcome of Monday’s referendum, which is expected to result in a resounding “yes” vote.
The Kurds, who have ruled over an autonomous region within Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled dictator Saddam Hussein, consider the referendum to be an historic step in a generations-old quest for a state of their own. Iraq considers the vote unconstitutional.
The US, major European countries and neighbours Turkey and Iran strongly opposed the decision to hold the referendum, describing it as destabilising at a time when all sides are still fighting against Islamic State.
Initial results indicated 72% of eligible voters had taken part. An overwhelming majority, possibly over 90% had said “yes”, Kurdish TV channel Rudaw said.
Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Masoud Barzani says the vote is not binding, but meant to provide a mandate for negotiations with Baghdad and neighbouring countries over the peaceful secession of the region from Iraq. Baghdad said there would be no such talks.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday warned the Iraqi Kurdistan region against pushing for independence, saying it risked sparking an “ethnic war” in the region. He even warned the Kurdish region risked going short on food and clothing if Turkish sanctions were applied.
Iranian state media quoted an army commander as saying that new missile systems were installed on Tuesday in western provinces that border Iraqi Kurdish areas to “firmly respond to any invasion”.