Iraqi PM calls for Kurdistan referendum results annulment

CAIRO - 27 September 2017: Before the Iraqi Parliament on Wednesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi demanded the outcome of the independence referendum of Kurdistan to be cancelled.

Abadi stressed that the Iraqi government will impose federal power by force of law and constitution in all parts of the Kurdistan region, noting that there will be no flights from Erbil and Sulaymaniyah airports starting next Friday.

During his speech, Abadi praised the Iraqi army’s victories against ISIS, stressing that he will not discuss the “outcome of the referendum,” and that “if they want to start talks, they must cancel the referendum and its outcome.”

A referendum for Kurdish independence was held in the Kurdish areas on September 25 where Kurds headed to polling stations. They attended the polls rejected by the Arab-led central government in Baghdad, the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and regional powers, Turkey and Iran.