Kurdish independence vote may rekindle Iraqi conflict - German FM

BERLIN - 26 September 2017: The Kurdish referendum on independence from Iraq could escalate the tensions in the region and destabilize it, Sputnik quoted German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel as having said Tuesday.

"We know that it was important for many Kurds to participate in this [vote]. At the same time we express deep concerns as this move may further aggravate the unstable situation in the region that has become even more complicated since yesterday," Gabriel said.

The minister added that Iraqi Kurdistan authorities and the central government in Baghdad should address the problems via dialogue.


"We call on all the sides to avoid any escalation and to refrain from unilateral steps toward the independence or from compulsive actions. Unresolved issues between Erbil and Baghdad should be discussed and solved via dialogue," the German politician added.