Iraq requests closure of Kurdish border

BAGHDAD - 7 October 2017: The Iraqi Foreign Ministry on Friday sent letters to Turkey and Iran requesting the two countries to close their borders with the Kurdistan region.

In a statement aired by the Iraqi Alsumaria TV, Iraqi foreign ministry spokesman Ahmed Mahjoub said the request included plan to stop trade exchange between these two countries and Kurdistan.

The letters asked Iran and Turkey to deal directly with the government in Baghdad and show respect to the principle of good neighborliness.

Following an independence referendum, the Iraqi government demanded that the Kurdish leadership cancel the result of the referendum or face the prospect of sanctions and international isolation.