Kurds offer to freeze result of referendum to halt violence

THE Kurdistan Regional Government offered to suspend its drive for independence yesterday in return for a promise from Iraq to halt its recent military activity that has led to the seizure of huge swathes of territory.

The KRG said it was prepared to “freeze” the results of its September referendum and it 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.

They called for dialogue with Baghdad in the hope of easing tensions. The KRG made the offer as Iraqi forces appeared to be moving in on its border with Turkey, which is currently in Kurdish hands. The loss of the border would be devastating for Kurdistan’s autonomy and economic independence.

The offer to suspend the result of the referendum on secession – which won the support of 93 per cent of voters – is a humiliating blow for Masoud Barzani, Kurdistan’s president, who defied international pressure to hold the vote.