IRAQI KURDISTAN REFERENDUM: KURDS OFFER TO FREEZE INDEPENDENCE

SOURCE: BBC NEWS

Iraqi forces pose with a national flag as they stand on a river bank across from Kurdish Peshmerga positions on October 14, 2017, on the southern outskirts of Kirkuk. The Iraqi government has demanded that Kurdish leaders reject the result of the 25 September referendum

The Kurdistan Regional Government has offered to freeze the results of a recent disputed independence referendum and enter dialogue with Baghdad.
The government said in a statement that it proposed a ceasefire "in order to prevent further violence and clashes".
Last week fighting broke out when Iraqi government forces seized the oil-rich city of Kirkuk and other areas controlled by the Kurds.
It follows a Kurdish vote on the region's independence from Baghdad.
"Continued fighting does not lead any side to victory, but it will drive the country towards disarray and chaos," the government statement adds.
"Attacks and confrontations between Iraqi and Peshmerga forces that started on 16 October ... could lead to a continuous bloodshed," it reads.
Iraqi Kurds demonstrate at the US consulate in Irbil, the capital of autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan, 20 October 2017

 Iraqi Kurds demonstrated in Irbil last week amid rising tensions with Baghdad

The Iraqi government regards the Kurdish vote for independence as illegal and has called for dialogue to resolve the crisis.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi last month demanded that the Kurdistan Regional Government "cancel" the outcome of the referendum.
He said the vote was a threat to the "peaceful co-existence among Iraqis, and is a danger to the region", adding that he would "impose Iraq's rule" in the area.
People living in northern Iraq voted overwhelmingly in favour of independence for the Kurdistan Region in the controversial referendum.
The electoral commission said 92% of the 3.3 million Kurds and non-Kurds who cast their ballots supported secession.
Last week Iraqi forces took over swathes of territory held by the Kurds since 2014 and said they had wrested control of all areas of Kirkuk province from Kurdish Peshmerga fighters.
It was part of an operation launched by the army and allied militia which saw Kurdish forces pushed back into the officially recognised autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI).

The referendum

  • Kurds are the fourth-largest ethnic group in the Middle East but they have never obtained a permanent nation state
  • In Iraq, where they make up an estimated 15% to 20% of the population of 37 million, Kurds faced decades of repression before acquiring autonomy in 1991
  • Polling took place in the three provinces that make up the region, as well as disputed areas claimed by the Kurds and the government in Baghdad
  • Voting was open to some 5.2 million Kurds and non-Kurds aged 18 registered as resident in Kurdish-controlled areas

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
World’s fattest man to have surgery to remove 45kg of excess skin World’s fattest man to have surgery to remove 45kg of excess skin A MAN once dubbed the fattest in the world will soon undergo surgery to remove of 45 kilos of excess skin. Paul Mason, 54, from Ipswich in England, used to weigh 445 kilograms but has lost about 285kg. Now living in America, he is engaged and has been raising funds online to remove 45kg left-over skin — particularly from an area around the waist known as “the apron” and his “bat wing” arms. Writing on his fundraising page on the website YouCaring.com , his fiancee Rebecca Mountain said Mr Mason had several visits scheduled with specialists to get clearance for surgery. Before ... Paul Mason, 54, from Ipswich in England, used to weigh 445 kilograms. Source: Supplied “We are moving ahead with plans for surgery in January and working hard to gather the funds needed for the aftercare,” she wrote. Ahead
Read more
Image
Women's World Cup: Germany & Norway advance with wins Dates: 6 June - 5 July. Coverage: Every match live on the BBC. All games online with selected matches on BBC Two, BBC Three and Red Button. Catch-up via BBC iPlayer. Every England game on BBC Radio 5 live. Live text commentary of every England game via BBC Sport website. Germany and Norway secured their places in the knockout stages of the Women's World Cup with comfortable wins over Thailand and Ivory Coast respectively in their final Group B games. Substitute striker Lena Petermann headed two goals as Germany racked up 34 attempts at goal in a 4-0 win. Runners-up Norway will next play the team that finishes second in Group F - England's pool - after Ada Hegerberg scored twice in a 3-1 victory. Thailand could also make the last 16. Women's World Cup 2015 Re
Read more
Image
BREAKING! Buhari To Reduce Petrol Price to N40 per Litre Former Minister of Petroleum, Prof. Tamunoemi David-West, said that Nigerians should expect sharp drop in petrol price from the current N87 to about N40 per litre, saying, “President Mohammed Buhari will reduce the fuel pump price to N40 per litre.” In his words: “I want to assure you that by the time he takes over, petrol will be dispensed at N40 per litre. This is possible and he has the credibility to make it work. "Buhari will build new refineries to make petroleum products available for the masses. No responsible government will allow the masses to suffer." In a telephone interview with Vanguard, the former minister argued that Nigeria produces millions of barrels of crude oil daily, and if properly harnessed will boost the performance of the industry. He noted that the president-elect is familiar with the petroleum industry, adding that he is a straight forward person that has respect for
Read more