Iraqi Kurdistan Region Lawmaker Calls for Suspension of Planned Referendum

Officials in Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region announced that the northern territory will hold an independence referendum on September 25.

The issue was announced by Masoud Barzani, the president of the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), and sparked heated disputes among Iraqi and Kurdish political and social circles.

Pointing to differences among opponents and proponents of the plan, Saleh told Tasnim, “Insisting on holding referendum in such a condition will have dangerous consequences.”

He then proposed that all capacities should be used to suspend the referendum until the region takes necessary preparations.

He noted that referendum for establishing an independent state would need international institutions’ approval and support, adding that the planned referendum in Kurdistan lacks the necessary support.

“If a Kurdish government is established without international recognition, its survival will be very difficult,” the lawmaker added.

He pointed to the Iraqi Federal government opposition with referendum and noted that the geography of referendum has not been already determined.

The lawmaker asked the question from supporters of referendum that if the central government suspend dispatch of food and drug to the region and cut salaries of certain apparatuses, is the region prepared for such conditions?

He also pointed to Iran and Turkey opposition with referendum and noted that such opposition will add to the current problems in the Kurdistan region.

“Holding referendum can prepare the ground for presence of Iraqi Army and Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), also known as Hashd al-Shaabi in the disputed areas,” Saleh claimed.

In a reference to expiry of Masoud Barzani presidency in the Kurdistan region, Saleh said that the referendum committee is working based on a decree from Barzani and therefore it is totally illegal.