Iraq’s Kurds claim victory in referendum

A referendum on independence from Baghdad has been approved by more than 90 per cent of voters, the election commission for Iraq’s Kurdish region said.

The non-binding vote is unlikely to lead to formal independence, and has escalated long-running tensions.

Iraq and its neighbours, along with virtually the entire international community, are staunchly opposed to any redrawing of the map.

Regional airlines also say they will comply with a Baghdad-ordered ban on flights to the region which is scheduled to start today. Hendrin Mohammed, the head of the electoral commission, announced the official results at a press conference yesterday, saying the referendum passed with 92.73 per cent support and turnout of more than 72 per cent.

The vote was held across the autonomous Kurdish region’s three provinces as well as in some disputed territories controlled by Kurdish security forces but claimed by Baghdad.