Knowing Kurdistan: 1 day

CAIRO – 24 September 2017: Talks which took place in Baghdad on Saturday, between the visiting Kurdish delegation and the ruling Shiite National Alliance, broke down soon after.

Ali Allaq from the National Alliance said at a press conference that Erbil still has time to cancel the vote “before it is too late,” and to respect the Iraqi constitution and the ruling from the Iraqi Supreme Court which suspended the vote.

If the vote is held, there will be “big consequences” from Iraq and other countries, Alllaq said.

The independence referendum is scheduled for tomorrow, Monday, September 25.

However, the Kurdish leadership has continually reiterated its position, insisting that the referendum will be held since no alternative has been offered which meets Kurdish demands for independence.

“Their view was dialogue before the referendum and our view was dialogue before and after the referendum,” Rozh Nuri Shaweys, the head of the Kurdistan delegation, said at a press conference. However, "The Kurdish leadership hopes to maintain good relations with Baghdad."

Kurdistan’s President Masoud Barzani met with French Ambassador to Iraq Bruno Aubert on Saturday evening, saying that time has run out for talks over calling off the independence referendum, and that it will take place on September 25.


Iraqi Kurdish President Masoud Barzani (C) attends a rally in support for the upcoming September 25th independence referendum in Zakho, Iraq September 14, 2017. REUTERS/Ari Jalal


"France in principle is not against the referendum," Aubert stated
Chancellor of Kurdistan Region Security Council, Masrour Barzani, met with British Member of Parliament for Stratford-on-Avon Nadhim Zahawi on Saturday, and reiterated that the people of Kurdistan Region are holding a referendum on statehood to exercise their democratic rights.

Barzani also stressed the importance of the post-referendum negotiations between Erbil and Baghdad in the desire to move forward towards “becoming two friendly neighbors.”

A rift has emerged between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and members of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) over holding the referendum in Kirkuk, the disputed territory which both Erbil and Baghdad claim authority over.

In a press conference Mala Mahmoud, a PUK deputy leader in Kirkuk, stated that the PUK is against the referendum in the province.

It is claimed that many PUK members are hoping to capitalize on the instability and move into roles of greater authority. With the Iraqi Parliament unconstitutionally voting to dismiss Kirkuk Governor Najmaddin Karim on September 12, a faction within the PUK are eyeing up his position.

A source told BasNews that the PUK officials, which eye Karim’s position, are Rizgar Ali, Khalid Shwani, Raf’at Abdullah and Alla Talabani.

In other news:
In an act of further aggression, on Saturday evening the Turkish parliament approved extending a mandate authorizing the deployment of troops in Syria and Iraq. Turkey believes the referendum will be a threat to its own security, and the presence of troops and military exercise is believed to be a show of force in the face of Kurdish acts of self-determination.


Turkey has 250 soldiers stationed in northern Iraq (AFP)

“Those risks that threaten our security are still active and there is a need for the authorizations demanded with this mandate,” said Turkey’s Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli, Hurriyet Daily News reported.

The U.S. embassy in Iraq has cautioned its citizens that there may be unrest during the referendum.

“In particular, U.S. citizens should avoid travel into and within territories disputed between the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) and the Government of Iraq,” the travel warning said.

“U.S. citizens should maintain a heightened sense of security awareness and take appropriate measures to enhance their personal security at all times when living and working in Iraq,” the statement continued.