Iraq’s Kurds say 92% voted in favour of independence
erbil — The Kurdish referendum on independence from Iraq was approved by more than 92 per cent of voters, officials said on Wednesday, as Iraq’s prime minister vowed to keep his country united without resorting to the use of force.
Even with the strong support, the non-binding vote is unlikely to lead to formal independence, but it has escalated long-running tensions with Baghdad, which has moved to block flights in and out of the Kurds’ autonomous region. Iraq and its neighbours, along with virtually the entire world community, are opposed to any redrawing of the map.
Hendrin Mohammed, the head of the Kurdish region’s election commission, announced the official results at a press conference, 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 forces but claimed by Baghdad.
Mohammed said the counting of votes was complete and that the results would be considered final once they are certified by the Kurdish region’s department of justice.
The commission did not comment on turnout in the disputed territories, which could serve as an indicator of how many people in those areas prefer Kurdish rule. Mohammed told AP those numbers would be released by local authorities, without elaborating.
Iraq’s Arab-dominated parliament has given Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi the mandate to deploy troops in the disputed territories, including the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, but Al Abadi said on Wednesday he doesn’t want a “fight between the Iraqi citizens.”
At a meeting with lawmakers, he instead vowed to “enforce the rule of the federal authority in the Kurdish region with the power of the constitution.” Parliament has demanded that Baghdad refrain from taking part in any dialogue with the Kurds until the results of Monday’s vote are cancelled.
Al Abadi has ordered the Kurdish region to hand over control of its airports to federal authorities by Friday, threatening a flight ban if they refuse. —