Iraqi Kurdistan in historic independence vote, tensions soar

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Iraq’s Kurdistan Region is running an historic, yet advisory, vote on independence from Iraq on Monday, with the autonomous region’s government surrounded with political tensions, regional and international rejection over the move.

Kurdistan expects at least 900.000 voters as ballots open even at areas where sovereignty is disputed with Baghdad, including oil-rich Kirkuk.

Besides Baghdad, the poll has been met with disapproval from the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and regional powers Iran and Turkey which reportedly closed their airspaces and borders with the region.

Late Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s media office issued a statement urging Erbil to hand over airports and border crossings between Iraq and Kurdistan, also asking world foreign countries to halt oil dealings with the region and to approach the central government regarding airports and borders.

The statement reiterated that Baghdad would not engage in talks regarding the plebiscite which Abadi had earlier labelled “unconstitutional” and unrecognized by his government.

On the eve of the poll, Kurdish President Masud Barzani and Abadi made concurrent, defiant speeches emphasizing on their stance on the referendum.

“Partnership with Iraq is over”, Barzani stated in a press conference.

“We will never forsake our Kurdish citizens, their security and welfare. We reject the sectarian, racist state,” Abadi said, alluding to the independent state sought by the Kurds.

Kurdistan gained actual autonomous governance based on the 2005 constitution, but is still considered a part of Iraq. The region was created in 1970 based on an agreement with the Iraqi government, ending years of conflicts.

Baghdad and Erbil have for long disputed sovereignty over a number of regions, most notably the oil-rich province of Kirkuk, besides contending over petroleum exports’ revenues from those regions.