Iraq Kurds in historic independence vote in defiance of Baghdad

ARBIL, Iraq: Iraqi Kurds voted in an independence referendum yesterday in defiance of Baghdad which has warned of ‘measures’ to defend Iraq’s unity and threatened to deprive their region of lifeline oil revenues.

The non- binding vote on the Kurds’ long- cherished dream of independence, initiated by veteran leader Massud Barzani, has angered not only the federal government but also neighbouring Turkey and Iran, concerned it could stoke separatist aspirations among their own sizeable Kurdish minorities.

The United States and other Western nations have also raised concerns, saying the vote could hamper the fight against the Islamic State jihadist group in which cooperation between Baghdad and the Kurds has been key.

Initial results are expected to be announced 24 hours after polls close. An overwhelming “Yes” outcome is expected, but Kurdish officials have said there are no plans for an immediate

I came very early to be the first to vote for a Kurdish state.

declaration of independence.

Kurdish flags were festooned in all the streets, on cars and outside homes across Iraqi Kurdistan.

Voters headed to the polls early Monday, many men dressed in traditional Kurdish dress of brown shirt and billowing trousers for the occasion.

Young girls wore caps emblazoned with the Kurdish colours of red, white, green and yellow, and regional flags around their necks and shoulders.

“I came very early to be the first to vote for a Kurdish state,” Diyar Abubakr, 33, said outside a polling station in regional capital Arbil.

“It’s a day of celebration today. That’s why I’ve put on our traditional outfit, which I bought for the occasion,” he said.

One voter even brought a cow to slaughter before the start of the referendum.

“I brought this cow as today the state is born and it’s tradition to slaughter a cow for a birth,” Dalgash Abdallah, 27, said.

Barzani, smiling and wearing a traditional outfit, cast his vote early in the morning.

Polling stations are scattered across the three northern provinces of autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan — Arbil, Sulaimaniyah and Dohuk — as well as in disputed bordering zones such as the oilrich province of Kirkuk.

In Sulaimaniyah, second city of the autonomous region, 40-yearold Diyar Omar came to cast his vote also wearing traditional clothes.

“We will seize our independence through the polls. I’m delighted to be the first voter,” he said as he arrived at a polling station in the city.

“I’m so happy I could take part in this independence vote during my lifetime,” he added.

A total of 12,072 polling stations are open for more than 5.3 million registered voters. — AFP

Diyar Abubakr