The final results in a controversial independence referendum in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq should be known within 72 hours.
Neighboring countries Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey have strongly objected to the referendum organized by the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG). Baghdad said it will take all “necessary measures to preserve the unity of the country.”
Voting got underway at 8am local time and closed at 6pm. The final results should be known within 72 hours. The referendum, which is non-binding, is expected to deliver comprehensive backing for independence.
26 September 2017
The Syrian government rejects the Kurdish independence referendum in Northern Iraq, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem has told RT, adding that Damascus is ready to negotiate greater autonomy with the Syrian Kurds.
“We categorically reject the referendum on the independence of Iraqi Kurdistan and stand for the unity of Iraq,” Muallem said, emphasizing that Syria is faced with a different situation with the Kurds on its territory.
“In Syria, they [Kurds] want to proclaim autonomy in one form or another within the borders of the Syrian Arab Republic. Negotiations and a dialogue are possible on the matter,” the diplomat added.
The Iraqi government will not hold talks with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) about the results of the "unconstitutional" referendum on independence held on Monday in northern Iraq, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said. "We are not ready to discuss or have a dialogue about the results of the referendum because it is unconstitutional," Abadi said in a speech broadcast on state TV on Monday night. Masoud Barzani's KRG says the referendum is not binding and was meant to be a legitimate mandate to negotiate with Baghdad and neighboring countries over the secession of the Kurdish-controlled region from Iraq.
25 September 2017
The US has called on Iraq to maintain its territorial integrity, as people in the semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan are holding a referendum on independence.
“We hope for a unified Iraq to annihilate ISIS [Islamic State], and certainly a unified Iraq to push back on Iran,” White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee-Sanders told reporters.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada will respect the outcome of the referendum and noted that, as a Quebecer, he appreciated how other countries did not try to get involved in Quebec’s own independence referendums.
The United Nations has reiterated its concerns about the potentially destabilizing effect the Kurdish referendum could have on Iraq and the Middle East.
“The Secretary-General respects the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of Iraq and considers that all outstanding issues between the federal Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government should be resolved through structured dialogue and constructive compromise,” read a statement from spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
Kurds have been waving flags, setting off fireworks and chanting in the streets to celebrate the referendum on independence.
The referendum polls closed in most areas at 7:00pm local time after a one-hour extension, Rudaw TV reports, citing the electoral commission. Polls in Kirkuk closed at 6:00pm.
Polls across Iraqi Kurdistan have closed and counting ballots has now begun, Rudaw reports. Voting booths closed at 6pm local time in Kirkuk, and 7pm in most other areas after a one-hour extension.
Turnout was reported at 78 percent until 6pm across Iraqi Kurdistan, Rudaw reports citing the electoral commission.
The referendum turnout is 76 percent one hour before polling stations close, Kurdish Rudaw TV reported.
Kirkuk has declared an overnight curfew in the city following the independence referendum, Reuters reports citing a statement issued by the authorities of the Kurdish-led Iraqi governorate.
Iraqi Vice-President Nouri al-Maliki slammed the historic independence vote on Monday.
"[Kurdistan's] referendum is the declaration of war against the unity of the people of Iraq," Maliki, who is also the head of the conservative Islamist Dawa Party, wrote on Twitter.
UK Foreign Minister Boris Johnson has called on the Iraqi and Kurdish governments to build bridges and seek dialogue.
The United Kingdom had earlier called on the Kurdistan Region to postpone the vote.
The Kurdish Peshmerga forces are ready to repel any attack on Iraqi Kurdistan to safeguard the outcome of the vote, Commander Sirwan Barzani warned.
“In my opinion, without doubt, Peshmerga is in the state of combat readiness. We were able to fight the Iraqi army comprising many millions of people, the strongest army in the region at the time, only armed with Kalashnikov rifles. Of course, we are ready to repel [an attack] by whomever,” Barzani told Sputnik.
He said he did not believe Iraqi Kurdistan would have to take up arms in defense, however.
“Perhaps this [statements about the blockade] is connected with elections, with domestic politics in these countries, so they resort to such threats… Now the whole world sees that the Kurds and Peshmerga are not the same as 30 years ago. Therefore, it is not so easy to come and set up a blockade or to fight with us,” Barzani said.
Turkey’s prime minister has also come out strongly against the referendum. Speaking on Turkish TV, Binali Yildirim insisted that the only “legitimate authority” in Iraq is the central government in Baghdad, Andalou Agency report.
“From now on, we will directly speak to Iraq's central government and decide accordingly," the premier said.
“[The vote] will not contribute to regional peace and stability, but it will increase already-existing tension and problems.”
The Kurdish Regional Government’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Falah Mustafa described voting in the election as an "unforgettable moment" in his life.
Erdogan repeated his earlier sentiments on Twitter, saying Turkey will “use all options” if it feels threatened by its neighbors.
“Iraq and Syria, who pose a threat for our country, when it is needed, we hold to use all options in front of us,” Erdogan said.
The Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has ordered the country’s security services to “protect citizens being coerced” into voting in the referendum, Reuters is reporting.
Erdogan also threatened to cut off the pipeline carrying oil from northern Iraq out of the region.
"After this, let's see through which channels the northern Iraqi regional government will send its oil, or where it will sell it," the Turkish leader said in the speech in Istanbul. "We have the tap. The moment we close the tap, then it's done.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has repeated his country’s criticism of the referendum, describing the separatist movement as “unacceptable at this time.” He warned that the Turkish army is at the Iraqi border and ready to take “necessary steps.
He said that political, economic, trade and security steps will be taken in response to the independence push.
Erdogan added that people are currently allowed only to travel into Iraq from Turkey, and the Habur border gate with Iraq will be closed in both directions.
Afandi also revealed that the regional government’s website has been subject to thousands of cyber attacks in the past week.
The head of the Kurdish Department of Information and Technology Hiwa Afandi has tweeted to say that traffic police are helping elderly people cast their ballot in the referendum.
In advance of the vote the US embassy in Iraq warned its citizens that the referendum may cause unrest.
"In particular, US citizens should avoid travel into and within territories disputed between the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) and the Government of Iraq,” the travel warning said.
The deputy prime minister of Kurdistan has also cast his ballot in the independence vote.
Kurds have waited 100 years for this day, according to voters waiting in line to cast their ballot.
“We want to have a state, with God's help. Today is a celebration for all Kurds. God willing, we will say yes, yes to dear Kurdistan,” said Rizgar, as cited by Reuters, who was waiting to vote in a school in Erbil, where the Kurdish Regional Government sits.
President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq Masoud Barzani was photographed casting his vote in Erbil.
China’s Foreign Ministry has said it supports Iraq’s unity, Reuters is reporting.
"The Chinese government supports Iraq's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity," Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said at a daily news briefing.
"We hope the relevant sides can resolve the differences via dialogue, and find an inclusive solution that takes into account history and reality, to jointly protect Iraqi and regional stability," Lu added.