Iraq

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Well-informed security sources reported on Monday that 1,300 foreign members of the ISIL terrorist group have surrendered to the Iraqi government forces during the liberation of Tal Afar city in Northwestern Nineveh.

1,300 Foreign Terrorists of ISIL Surrender to Iraqi Army in Tal Afar
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The sources said that 1,300 non-Iraqi ISIL terrorists that had surrendered to the Iraqi forces in the Tal Afar operation are jailed in Hammam al-Alil camp South of Mosul city.

The sources further said that most of the non-Iraqi militants in the camp are from Chechnya, Afghanistan, France and Britain.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi announced on Thursday the complete liberation of the city of Tal Afar and the whole territory of the Nineveh Province from ISIL terrorists.

Abadi said as cited by local TV channel that Tal Afar, a strategically important city in Northwestern Iraq, which is located near the border with Syria, was liberated after being held by ISIL for some three years.

Five ISIL leaders were killed as Iraqi fighter jets bombarded one of the group’s locations in Northeast of Diyala, a military source said.

Iraqi Jets Shelling Kills five ISIL Leaders Northeast of Diyala
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“A fighter jet targeted on Sunday evening an ISIL location in Basateen al-Makheisa region, northeast of Diyala,” Lt.Ghassan al-Ebeidi, of the Iraqi army said in press remarks, Iraqi News reported.

“The shelling left five ISIL leaders killed,” he added.

Last week, five militants were killed in an airstrike launched by Iraqi jets in Wadi Thilab, located in Neft Khana basin, Northeast of Diyala.

Attacks launched by ISIL militants against security troops, the pro-government forces and civilians surged over the past few weeks in Northeast of Diyala, which urge the Iraqi forces to prevent the militants infiltration between Salahuddin and Kirkuk provinces, especially the regions stretching along Hamreen mountains and Al-Azeem town.

ISIL holds pivotal regions that link between each of Diyala, Salahuddin and Kirkuk, posing threats to the liberated regions. Government and military commanders are expected to wage operations at other ISIL havens across the country, including Diyala.

Militants of the ISIL terror group suddenly evacuated checkpoints in Southwest of Kirkuk, a local source from the province said.

ISIL Militants Evacuate Checkpoints in Southwestern Kirkuk
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“Tens of ISIL militants collectively evacuated several checkpoints in Hawija, Southwestern Kirkuk, under mysterious circumstances,” the source said, Al Ghad reported.

The militants, according to the source, “withdrew from sprawling regions on borders with Salahuddin province located near to oilfields.” The reasons behind the evacuation are unknown.

In related news, two huge blasts were heard in the town, a local source from the province said, adding that one of them targeted an ISIL convoy.

“The blasts resulted from airstrikes, one of them targeted an ISIL armed convoy,” the source told AlSumaria News indicating news on casualties.

The militant group, according to the source, who preferred anonymity, “has been on high alert in Hawija.”

Hawija and other neighboring regions, West of Kirkuk, have been held by ISIL since mid-2014, when the group emerged to proclaim an a rule in Iraq and Syria. The group executed dozens of civilians and security members there, forcing thousands to flee homes.

On Saturday, further reinforcements from the Federal Police were sent from Baghdad to the town, as the military command declared last week, the end of operations in Tal Afar, the militants’ last haven west of Nineveh, and the approach of the launch of offensives for Hawija.

On Thursday, Iraqi army planes airdropped millions of messages on Hawija telling them that operations to recapture the stronghold were nearing, according to the War Media Cell.

Local sources confirmed on Monday that harsh debates have erupted among ISIL's senior commanders over surrendering the besieged town of Huweija to the Iraqi forces.

Huweija: Differences Intensifying among Terrorist Commanders
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The sources said that tens of family members of ISIL gunmen have fled the town of Huweija in Kirkuk province after harsh debates erupted among the terrorist group's commanders over handing over the town to the Iraqi forces.

The sources said that tens of families of ISIL members have disappeared, adding that they might have been hiding among civilians fleeing Huweija.

They went on to say that ISIL members are talking openly about their surrender to the Iraqi army as the terrorist group has suffered heavy defeats in the liberation operations of Mosul and Tal Afar.

The sources further said that ISIL has announced curfew in Huweija after unknown assailants attacked the house of one of the commanders of ISIL in the town.

An Arab media outlet reported on Saturday that theh Iraqi Federal Police sent more forces to Kirkuk to participate in the upcoming liberation operation of the town of Huweija codenamed Qademoun Ya Huweija against ISIL.

The Arabic-language Elam al-Harbi reported that the Iraqi Federal Police has forwarded more units from Baghdad to Kirkuk to join their comrades' upcoming large-scale operation to free Huweija from ISIL's occupation as soon as possible.

Also, Ali al-Hosseini, the spokesman for the Iraqi popular forces of Hashd al-Shaabi in the Northern flank announced his forces' readiness to participate in Huweija battle.

In the meantime, the Iraqi planes dropped thousands of leaflets in the region calling on people to leave ISIL-held regions.

Ahmad Khorshid, a member of Huweija Council, estimated that less than 2,000 ISIL terrorists are in Huweija.

 

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Several ISIL leaders, including deputy chief in charge of the militants affairs, were killed in Southwestern part of the Iraqi city of Kirkuk, a local source was quoted saying.

Local Residents, Prompted by Iraqi Military Messages, Kill ISIL Leaders in Hawija
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“Several residents from Hawija, Southwestern Kirkuk, attacked militants gathering inside a house in al-Askari district in the town,” the source said, Iraqi News reported.

“The attack left four leaders, including deputy chief in charge of the militants affairs in Hawija,” the source, who preferred anonymity, added.

This came after millions of messages were airdropped by Iraqi jets over the past few days in Hawija, the source said. “Most of the residents in Central Hawija remained away from ISIL gatherings, despite being forced to stay near.”

In related news, another local source told AlSumaria News that the militant group imposed partial curfew in the town after attacking house of the leader in charge of the group’s security affairs.

“ISIL imposed partial curfew in some of the eastern districts in Hawija in the wake of an attack by a hand grenade against house of the group’s security affairs chief, which left one of his sons wounded,” the source said.

“Attacks against houses of the group’s leaders and militants have been on the rise in Hawija and its vicinity,” the source, who asked to be anonymous, added.

Hawija and other neighboring regions, west of Kirkuk, have been held by ISIL since mid-2014, when the group emerged to proclaim a rule in parts of Iraq and Syria. The group executed dozens of civilians and security members there, forcing thousands to flee homes.

The Iraqi volunteer forces of Hashd al-Shaabi repelled two heavy attacks of ISIL near the country's border with Syria on Tuesday, killing and wounding a large number of terrorists.

Iraqi Popular Forces Ward off ISIL's Offensives at Border with Syria
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Artillery and missile units of Hashd al-Shaabi targeted heavily the movements of a group of ISIL in al-Mas'ada region near the border with Syria, and repelled their attack.

Also, the Hashd al-Shaabi troops managed to fend off another attack by the ISIL near the village of Tal Hajem near the borderline with Syria.

ISIL suffered heavy casualties in the failed attacks.

A local source said earlier today that around fifty ISIL militants were killed in Iraqi Army's airstrikes in Northeast of Diyala.

“Basateen al-Mekheisa and the surrounding villages located in al-Waqf basin on the outskirts of abu Sayda town, Northeast of Diyala, were shelled five times over the past two months,” Awwad al-Rubai’e, head of the security committee of Abu Sayda council said, Al Ghad reported.

“Most of the airstrikes were accurate. They targeted pivotal havens of ISIL militants and sleeper cells,” he said. “The available estimates show that the total number of militants killed due to the air raids, last of which was on Sunday, reached around fifty members.”

Head of Anbar Emergency Police announced imposing a comprehensive curfew on the city of Ramadi till further notice, local reports said.

Iraqi Security Forces Impose Comprehensive Curfew on Ramadi
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Brigadier General Khaled Ghigher said in a press statement that a comprehensive curfew was imposed on the city of Ramadi, since the early morning today, and until further notice, Iraqi News reported.

The curfew was imposed on the movement of all types of vehicles and persons, in addition to closing all markets in the city, after a family of seven persons was found dead inside their house, Ghigher added.

Security forces closed all roads and entrances to Ramadi, as well as conducting several search operations to find the perpetrators of the crime, he further explained.

It is noteworthy that security forces and tribes are controlling the city of Ramadi, after driving out the ISIL militants from the city in 2015.

A large number of notorious commanders of ISIL surrendered to the Iraqi Kurdish Pishmarga Forces, local sources in Kirkuk province confirmed on Tuesday.

Large Number of Militant Commanders Surrender to Kurdish Forces in Central Iraq
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The sources said that a large number of high-ranking ISIL commanders, including Chief of ISIL Police Mahmoud Khamis al-Fazlawi and Mohammad Aydan al-Asafi, the one in charge of ISIL Zakat Bureau in Huweija have surrendered themselves to the Pishmarga forces.

The sources further said that ISIL has executed Ibrahim al-Aziz, one of its own commanders, in the village of al-Khan in Huweija, after he tried to surrender himself to Pishmarga.

A local source was quoted as saying earlier today that several ISIL leaders, including deputy chief in charge of the militants' affairs, were killed in Southwestern part of the Iraqi city of Kirkuk.

“Several residents from Huweija, Southwestern Kirkuk, attacked militants gathering inside a house in al-Askari district in the town,” the source said, Iraqi News reported.

“The attack left four leaders, including deputy chief in charge of the militants affairs in Huweija,” the source, who preferred anonymity, added.

This came after millions of messages were airdropped by Iraqi jets over the past few days in Huweija, the source said. “Most of the residents in Central Huweija remained away from ISIL gatherings, despite being forced to stay near.”

 

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The bodies of around 2,100 civilians were uncovered in West Mosul since the Iraqi government recaptured parts of the city in June.

Over 2,000 Civilian Bodies Uncovered among Ruins of Mosul
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Saad Hamid from Iraq's interior ministry, which is part of the relief efforts in Mosul, said more than 2,000 bodies have been found among the ruined homes of the city, New Arab reported.

The Northern Iraqi city was ravaged during the government's assault on ISIL-held Mosul, which began in October and ended in July when the last pockets of resistance were defeated.

Efforts by the civil defence team to uncover bodies and survivors were hampered by ISIL bombs and snipers.

"A lack of equipment and various security problems such as IS members firing from hide outs, bunkers, tunnels or basements" hindered the rescue team, particularly during the early stages of the operation, Hamid told Anadolu news agency.

The search for the dead could continue for another two months, and Hamid expects to remove between 400 and 500 more bodies from the rubble during this time.

Mosul was devastated during the eight month campaign with ISIL militants putting up a ferocious fight to the government assault.

ISIL militants used improvised bombs, booby traps, tunnels and snipers to slow the advance of the Iraqi troops, while civilians were used as human shields by the militants. Rebuilding Mosul's infrastructure will cost around $1 billion, the UN has said.

Nearly 3,000 Iraqi Christian families were repatriated since the liberation of the Nineveh Province from the so-called ISIL, a local official said.

3,000 Christian Families Return to Liberated Areas of Mosul
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According to Dureid Hekmat, advisor for the governor of Nineveh in regards to Christian affairs, told the National News Center that the regions of Hamadaniyah and Tel Saqf have reached the highest number of returning Christians, since the Iraqi government declared the liberation of the region in August, BasNews reported.

Hekmet said that the Eastern part of Mosul alone has received around 500 returning families, and more are expected to come, as the rebuilding process continues.

However, the areas of Bashiqa and Bartella in Northern Nineveh are so far receiving a lower number of returnees, but the Iraqi authorities have planned to repatriate more than one million displaced Iraqi civilians back to their homes in Nineveh by the end of this year.

The Iraqi air force pounded and destroyed several strategic bases of the ISIL terrorist group near the border with Syria.

ISIL's Foreign Members Killed in Iraq Airstrike Near Syria Border
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Iraq's fighter jets in several attacks destroyed ISIL's military positions in the Western part of Iraq near Syria, destroying ISIL's strategic bastions and an arms depot.

The air assaults also killed several foreign terrorists of the ISIL in the town of al-Qaem in Western al-Anbar, Alam al-Harbi reported.

Meantime, a headquarters of the ISIL where foreign terrorists were deployed was also destroyed and tens of the ISIL terrorists were killed in the raid.

Also a large amount of weapons and military equipment of the ISIL terrorists group in al-Qaem region was also destroyed.

Informed sources said that British and Saudi officers arrived in Aden at the beginning of September 2017, officially joining the foreign military forces based in the war-hit country.

Britain Officially Enters Alliance of Aggression in Yemen, Spreads Militarily in Coastal Regions
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The sources said that the British and Saudi officers, including intelligence officers and logistical support, visited several military positions of the navy, coastal defense and coast guard in the coasts of Aden, Lahj, Abyan and Taiz, Yemen Press reported.

The sources explained the movements of British intelligence officers in a number of coastal provinces under the control of the forces who support the ousted president Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

The sources explained the movements of British intelligence officers in a number of coastal provinces under the control of the forces who support the ousted president Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi. Noting that the British moves began since four months ago.

The sources pointed out that the British intelligence officers have visited during the past four months, the area of Bir Ali coastal coastal Shabwa and the Hajar coast of Hadramout Province and coastal areas Ahour and Khanfar in Abyan province.

The sources confirmed that the visits were carried out with air protection from Apache helicopters and the UAE forces loyal to the land.

According to the sources, the British and Saudi officers visited last week the Aden naval base and agreed with the al-Qaeda leadership and the navy command to inventory the weapons of the naval base and determine their usefulness and remaining life.

The sources said the aim of the inventory was to determine the size of Russian weapons at the base, rather than a British-Saudi attempt to change the armament of the naval forces under the control of the pro-Hadi forces with British weapons instead of Russian weapons.

According to the sources, Saudi Arabia is seeking to establish an operations room supervised by officers, Saudis and Britons at the naval base in Aden, which will be a central operation room with other operating rooms to be established in a number of coastal sites in the neighboring provinces.

Pointing out that the sites were identified by British officers who have visited the number of coastal provinces during the past months.

The sources pointed out that the British and Saudis are trying to prevent the arrival of Russia to Aden, which seeks to build a military base in Aden, and efforts are made with pro-Hadi forces to rehabilitate the naval base in Aden, which was re-authorized by the Soviet Union and armed at the beginning 1980s.

The commander of Saudi-led forces in Aden, Major General Abdullah Salem al-Nakhai, admitted in press statements that there is a Saudi-British interest in rebuilding, rehabilitating and arming the naval forces.

Al-Nakhai confirmed the visit of a Saudi military delegation to the Navy, with the aim of rehabilitating it. Revealing the provision of Saudi support for naval forces, did not disclose the type.

He revealed that a British military delegation visited the naval forces early last month.

 

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A senior Iraqi Kurdistan official told Sputnik that the Iraqi Kurdistan would hold an independance referendum despite political pressure.

Kurdistan to Hold Independence Vote Despite Regional, Int'l Pressure - Official
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201709201057556063-kurds-referendum-independence-pressure/

Iraqi Kurdistan will vote on independence regardless of international and regional pressure, head of the Independent Electoral Commission for Elections and Referendum in Kurdistan, Hendrin Mohammed, told Sputnik on Wednesday.

"Unfortunately, there is a great deal of international and regional pressure, as you know. 'The Great Powers'oppose the vote. But we are moving ahead to the fact that the referendum will take place," Mohammed said.

The official added that the recent decision by the Iraqi parliament to reject the referendum would not stop the referendum commission from preparing and conducting the independence vote as it follows only Kurdistan's autonomous legislation and orders from President of Iraqi Kurdistan Masoud Barzani.

In early June, Barzani announced his intention to hold a referendum on the independence of the region from Iraq on September 25. The move has already been widely criticized by Iraqi authorities as well as by a number of other countries, including Iran, Turkey and the United States.

When asked whether an upcoming independence referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan will become a precedent for Turkish Kurds, a Kurdish Regional Government spokesman told Sputnik that it largely depends on Ankara.

Will Turkish Kurds Follow Iraqi Kurdistan in Pursuit of Independence?
https://sputniknews.com/analysis/201709181057486660-iraq-kurdistan-referendum-independence/

In an interview with Sputnik Turkey, Mustafa Shafik, adviser to Prime Minister of the Kurdish Regional Government Nechirvan Barzani, gave his thoughts on the probability of Turkish Kurds following the example of Iraqi Kurdistan, where an independence referendum is due to take place later this month.

"This issue does not depend on the decisions that Kurds will make in the course of the referendum in Iraq. It directly depends on the policy pursued by Ankara, although, of course, the results of the referendum will have an impact on the region as a whole," Shafik said.

He referred to the complicated situation facing Kurds residing in Turkey, something that he said has persisted for forty years. According to him, clashes are under way, which indicates that "this problem requires a solution."

"Turkey does not deny the existence of the Kurdish question, but it should not be resolved with the help of weapons and brute force. I think that Turkey will adhere to a different strategy in this matter," Shafik said.

Touching upon a possible postponement of the Iraqi referendum, he said that it is "out of the question" because there is no alternative.

Noting that the independence referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan has already become a pressing international issue, Shafik regretted the fact that "the tragedy of the Kurdish people continues in Iraq."

Kurds have been living on Iraqi territory for a hundred years now. If you look at the history, you will see nothing except bloodshed, conflagrations and destruction in the region where the Kurdish population lives," he said. According to Shafiq, if the rights of Kurds living in Iraq, Turkey, Iran and Syria were not violated, they would not be considering independence. As far as Iraq is concerned, "the struggle for the proclamation of [Iraqi Kurdistan's] autonomy has lasted 40 years," he added.

"As of 2003, we expect the implementation of the 140th article of the Constitution, which is specifically due to determine the status of Kirkuk. Let Turkey, Iran, Iraq and the US help resolve this issue instead of calling for a delay of the referendum," Shafik pointed out.

On Monday, Iraq's Federal Supreme Court mandated a halt to preparations for the independence referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan, slated for September 25.

In June, Masoud Barzani, president of the Iraqi Kurdistan, set September 25 as the date for an independence referendum which has been widely criticized by a number of countries, including Russia, Turkey, Iran and the United States. While Moscow voiced support for Iraq's unity and territorial integrity, Washington reportedly asked Barzani to postpone the referendum.

Iraqi Kurdistan is an autonomous region in the north of Iraq. The Kurds, who account for about 20 percent of the Iraqi population, have been seeking self-governance for decades.

In 2005, Iraq's Constitution recognized Kurdistan as an autonomous region run by the Kurdistan Regional Government.

If the Iraqi Kurds proclaim independence in their September 25 referendum, Israel will be the first country to recognize it, Aydin Selcen, Turkey's former consul general in the Kurdish Regional Government's capital Erbil, told Sputnik.

Will the World Follow Israel in Recognizing Iraqi Kurdistan's Independence?
https://sputniknews.com/analysis/201709161057451787-iraq-kurdistan-referendum-independence/

Commenting on the upcoming referendum on independence in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq in an interview with Sputnik Turkey, the Turkish former consul general in the Kurdish Regional Government's capital Erbil said that it is Israel which will be the first country to recognize the independence of the region because Tel Aviv is interested in buying oil there.

Aydin Selcen pointed out that on the eve of the referendum scheduled for September 25, the leading Kurdish political parties remain at odds over the matter. There is no unity of opinion, which is a negative factor.

"There are two influential political structures in the region — the Kurdistan Democratic Party (PDK) with its center in Erbil, and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), the central branch of which is located in the eastern Iraqi city of Sulaymaniyah," Selcen said.

He recalled that prior to the decision to hold a referendum, the two parties unsuccessfully "tried to hold talks, resume the activities of the Kurdish parliament and discuss pressing issues of an administrative nature."

"With time ticking until the referendum, the main political parties [of Iraq's Kurdistan] are still at loggerheads over a number of key issues," Selcen said.

Meanwhile, he added, "there are some positive factors from the Iraqi Kurds' point of view. "Under the pretext of a US intervention and the fight against Daesh, the Kurdish Regional Government was able to significantly expand the boundaries of its territory," Selcen said, adding that Lebanon could fit five times into the area of Iraq controlled by Kurds.

According to him, there are deposits of minerals and fertile agricultural areas in Iraqi Kurdistan, where approximately six million people currently reside. "There is also some international support, but not in terms of recognition of independence. As you know, declaring one's independence does not mean being recognized as an independent state," Selcen concluded.

On Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that "while Israel opposes terrorism as a whole, it supports the legitimate efforts of the Kurdish people to achieve their own state."

 

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Shortly after sunset, the residents of Erbil, the capital city of Iraqi Kurdistan that seeks to gain independence from Baghdad by holding a referendum on September 25, raised thousands of suns, depicted on the flags of the autonomous region, to the sky.

Iraqi Kurdistan on Eve of Independence Referendum
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201709221057614220-iraqi-kurdistan-referendum-eve/

Colorful fireworks lit up the sky, and Kurdish national music performed by popular regional musicians resounded from the stage.

The lyrics of all the songs were very similar."Yet we will proclaim our state, whoever is against it, but if they infringe on our right, they will deal with Peshmerga," one song's lyrics said.

Dream of Kurdish People - Shanadar Park, located in central Erbil, as well as many other parks in Iraqi Kurdistan's cities, has turned into a place of overwhelming public celebration.

Young and old, women and men, attend such places every day in order to support the decision of President of Iraqi Kurdistan Masoud Barzani to hold the referendum on independence from Baghdad. A group of young men with fancy hairstyles are trying to explain to a Sputnik correspondent the advantages of secession from Iraq. The question regarding threats of a blockade organized by neighboring Turkey and Iraq in the event of the vote only encouraged him.

Right Time for Referendum - However, the situation is not so obvious in the corridors of the local government. Delegation after delegation, both military and civil, from Washington, the United Nations, Berlin, Paris and Baghdad visit Erbil in an attempt to persuade long-standing Kurdish leader Barzani to abandon the "hasty decision" and at least to postpone the referendum. Barzani has said that he is not in a hurry at all, as the Kurds have been waiting for independence for almost a hundred years and now it is the right time for that.

Barzani's aide Kifah Sindjari says that the referendum can still be postponed but strong guarantees are necessary. According to him, the decision "currently depends on Washington, the United Nations and Baghdad," however, the divorce from Baghdad is inevitable.

"The required guarantees include signed consent to the setting of another date for holding a plebiscite in the very near future, respect for its results, the start of negotiations with the Iraqi side on the delimitation of borders, the discussion of the issue of water resources, as well as negotiations on disputed territories, including Kirkuk, Sinjar and other lands," Sinjari said.

According to him, the Kurdish government has no wish to trust Baghdad authorities anymore, as they do not treat the Kurdish Regional Government as an equal partner.

Military Intervention or Blockade Threat - There are also those in Iraqi Kurdistan who do not support holding the referendum. They are not as plentiful as plebiscite supporters and they try not to talk about their position in order not to look unpatriotic. One of these people agreed to an anonymous interview.

"You know, I am not against the referendum, but I am afraid of the military intervention by Turkey in connection with the subsequent declaration of independence. After all, Turkish Kurds will try to follow our example. And even if Ankara does not send its army to Kurdistan, the economic blockade will undermine us," the interviewee said.

Neighbors to Think Twice - A Peshmerga veteran called Sarmat, who served in several armed conflicts on the side of the Iraqi army, calls such a position cowardly, adding that Iraqi Kurds "were under the Iraqi, the Iranian and Turkish blockade in the 1990s and gained invaluable experience."

"We have grass, black soil. We will be developing agriculture. The Turks will stop receiving our cheap oil and lose their huge investments in our region. Iran will no longer be able to illegally transport banned equipment through Kurdistan. So they will think a hundred times before taking such a reckless step," the interlocutor said.

In June, Barzani set September 25 as the date for a referendum on the independence of the autonomous region from Iraq. The announced referendum has been criticized by Iraq and a number of other countries. For example, Turkey and Iran expressed a common view that a referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan could provoke increased tensions in the region, including separatism among their own respective Kurdish populations, and called for the vote to be abandoned.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim Friday called on Kurdish Regional Government's (KRG) President Masoud Barzani to abandon a planned independence referendum in Northern Iraq.

Turkey Calls on Kurds to Abandon Referendum
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"It will not bring happiness to our Kurdish brothers in the region," Binali Yildirim said, Anadolu reported.

"This referendum, which is opposed by the whole world and is illegal to international law, will not bring happiness to our Kurdish brothers in the region," Yildirim said. The non-binding referendum will see residents of Kurdish-controlled areas of Northern Iraq vote on full independence from Baghdad.

The UN has also spoken out against the poll, saying it would distract from operations against ISIL and lead to greater regional instability.

Baghdad has threatened to intervene militarily if the vote results in violence. KRG President Masoud Barzani has said a Yes vote would not initiate a declaration of independence but would led to negotiations with the Iraqi government.

Foreign ministers of Iran, Iraq and Turkey issued a joint statement, saying that the referendum on independence of Iraq’s Kurdistan autonomous province, scheduled to take place on September 25th, is not in the interest of anyone, not even the province of Kurdistan and its regional government.

Iraq, Iran and Turkey to take joint steps against Iraqi Kurdistan independence vote
http://www.fort-russ.com/2017/09/iraq-iran-and-turkey-to-take-joint.html

The three ministers agreed to take concrete steps to reject the referendum, indicating the importance of Turkish and Iranian support in resolving the issue.

The foreign ministers of Iran, Turkey and Iraq expressed their concern about the referendum in the Kurdistan region, scheduled for September 25th, stressing that this step poses a major obstacle for Iraq amid its successful achievements and efforts in the fight against terrorism, in addition to violating its territorial integrity.

The ministers announced their firm rejection of the referendum and urged Masoud Barzani, the President of the Kurdistan province, to immediately cease all referendum activities, pointing out that the referendum gravely violates the Iraqi constitution and could create new tensions in the region that would be difficult to control.

The ministers also said the referendum is not in favor of anyone, especially not the Kurds and the Kurdistan Regional Government, and that instead a constructive dialogue between Erbil and Baghdad, featuring international mediation, should begin in order to resolve the differences between the two sides.

The three ministers also said that the main political focus should be on the joint effective fight against terrorism, rather than questions of separatism. They welcomed the recent liberation of Nineveh province from the hands of ISIS, and stressed the importance of further fight against terrorism.

Yesterday, the Iraqi President Fuad Masum presented his initiative, aimed at resolving the differences between Baghdad and Erbil through constructive dialogue.

Iraqi army and security forces recaptured on Thursday the police station of one of ISIL’s last three bastions in Western Anbar as the government embarked on a wide-scale campaign to clear the group’s last havens in the country.

Iraqi Army Retakes Police Station of Anbar’s Annah
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A security source said that forces took over the police station of Annah, besides the fire brigade unit and an oil station, told Alghad Press reported.
“Advances continue but with utmost caution,” said the source.

Iraqi army forces invaded Annah on Wednesday, hours after recapturing neighboring Rayhanna area. Military and paramilitary sources said the troops, backed by the Popular Mobilization Forces, regained control over a number of neighborhoods in the town. Military media said up to 30 militants were killed since offensives launched.

Anbar’s Western towns of Annah, Qaim and Rawa have been held by the militant group since 2014, when it occupied one third of Iraq to proclaim its self-styled rule. Iraqi troops were able to return life back to normal in the biggest cities of Anbar including Fallujah, Ramadi and others after recapturing them in 2015 and 2016.

Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and the Joint Operations Command declared the start of offensives to retake ISIL-held regions in Salahuddin and Kirkuk provinces.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov has revealed at a meeting of the UN Security Council, during which a resolution on investigating ISIS crimes in Iraq was passed, that his country is ready to assist Iraq in its fight against the terrorist outfit.

Russia: We are ready to help Iraq in its fight against ISIS
http://www.fort-russ.com/2017/09/russia-we-are-ready-to-help-iraq-in-its.html

"We are confident that ISIS terrorists’ crimes should not remain unpunished, no matter where they are committed," Gatilov said.

"We welcome the success that the Iraqi armed forces have achieved in the fight against the ISIS, as well as steps to restore the country’s sovereignty," the senior Russian diplomat pointed out.

"We are ready to continue providing political and practical support to the Iraqi leadership," he added.

Iraqi forces have just liberated the Anah district in Iraq's Anbar province from ISIS.

Iraqi forces liberate Anah district from ISIS in its drive to reach the Syrian border
http://www.fort-russ.com/2017/09/iraqi-forces-liberate-anah-district.html

It has been reported that the operation to liberate Anah town took under an hour, demonstrating the collapse of ISIS in the district.

The terrorist group captured the region in the middle of 2014 and has been considered a stronghold for the terrorist group.

This is part of an effort for for Iraqi forces to reach the ISIS-held city of al-Qa'im on the Syrian border.

Al-Qa'im is the real prize for Iraqi forces in Anbar province as its liberation will cut a major route for ISIS to reach its territories of control in Syria.

This is part of a collective effort to completely destroy the terrorist organization in both Syria and Iraq.

 

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According to the magazine Israel-Kurd based in Erbil, the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu and Massoud Barzani, the self-appointed President of the future independent Kurdistan, have reached a secret agreement.

200,000 Israelis expected in “Kurdistan” once independence is declared
https://alethonews.wordpress.com/2017/09/21/200000-israelis-expected-in-kurdistan-once-independence-is-declared/

Tel-Aviv is committed to installing 200,000 Israelis of Kurdish origin in Kurdistan.

The announcement has been widely repeated in the Turkish, Iranian and Arab press. The plan to create a South Sudan and a Kurdistan has been an Israeli military objective following missile development at the end of the nineties. These territories, largely administered by the Israelis, have enabled a rear attack on Egypt and Syria.

Out of the 8.5 million Israelis living in Israel, around 200,000 are of Kurdish origin. In March 1951, “Operation Ezra and Nehemiah” (named after the biblical persons that organized the flight of the Jewish people from Babylon) permitted 11,000 Jewish Kurds to emigrate from Iraq to Israel. The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee of New York funded this operation. The planes used for this air lift were made available by the Cuban dictator, Fulgencio Batista.

The Barzani family that governs the Iraqi Kurdistan with an iron fist, is historically connected to Israel. Mullah Mustafa Barzani, father of the current president Massoud Barzani, was one of Mossad’s high official.

The Israeli Prime Minister is the only head of government to have publicly declared his support of the creation of an independent Kurdistan outside the historic Kurdish territory (which would also be to the detriment of the indigenous populations).

Despite the prohibition declared by the Iraqi Constitutional Court, a referendum will take place on 25 September 2017 with a view to declaring this new State.

Translation
Anoosha Boralessa

 

[angelburst29]

Moscow is ready to continue providing assistance to the Iraqi authorities in their fight against the Islamic State terror group (outlawed in Russia), Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said.

Russia ready to support Iraq in war against ISIS: diplomat
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/russia-ready-support-iraq-war-isis-diplomat/

“We are confident that the ISIL [the former name of the IS – TASS] terrorists’ crimes should not remain unpunished, no matter where they are committed,” Gatilov said at a meeting of the UN Security Council, during which a resolution on investigating into the Islamic State’s crimes in Iraq was passed.

“We welcome the success that the Iraqi armed forces have achieved in the fight against the ISIL, as well as steps to restore the country’s sovereignty,” the senior Russian diplomat pointed out. “We are ready to continue providing political and practical support to the Iraqi leadership,” he added.

The new UN Security Council’s resolution stipulates that UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres should establish an investigative team to help Iraq’s authorities investigate into the crimes committed by IS militants and bring them to justice.

Experts are expected to collect and preserve evidence concerning war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. The group that will comprise Iraqi lawyers and criminalists, as well as international experts, is expected to be active for two years. A special adviser to the UN secretary general will lead the group’s work.

On Wednesday afternoon, ISIS insurgents breached the Iraqi Army’s frontline positions in western Nineveh (northwestern Iraq) and promptly burnt a camp to the ground before withdrawing from the area with spoils of war.

In pictures: ISIS convoy launches big hit-and-run operation against the Iraqi Army (19 Photos)
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/pictures-isis-convoy-launches-big-hit-run-operation-iraqi-army/

The attack took place in the desert south of Al-Qairawan, a government-held city that was liberated over the summer, and saw an ISIS convoy bring with them jihadist foot soldiers who threw grenades, launched anti-tank missiles and opened fire upon an outpost controlled by the Iraqi Army and Popular Mobilization Units (PMU):

Facing overwhelming odds in terms of personnel and firepower, ISIS has largely abandoned the idea of actual offensives, turning instead to daily hit-and-run assaults to harass the Iraqi Armed Forces and inflict as many casualties upon government forces as possible.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi Prime Minister announced on Thursday morning that the long-awaited operation to retake the Hawija region had begun. Hours later, the PMU, Iraqi Army and Kata’ib Hezbollah (Iraqi Hezbollah wing) captured their first villages in Kirkuk province.

In addition to its border territories in Anbar and Nineveh, the Islamic State still controls an enclave of territory in central Iraq that is centered around the Sunni city of Hawija.

On Wednesday evening around 21:00 local time, the Turkish Air Force launched fresh sorties over the Amadiya and Sheladize regions of northern Iraq in what was intended to be an air raid on PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) militants.

Turkish jets massacre 10 Kurdish non-combatants amid inaccurate airstrikes in Iraq
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/turkish-jets-massacre-10-kurdish-non-combatants-due-inaccurate-airstrikes-iraq/

However, the aerial sorties struck a gathering of civilians who were traversing in vineyards and orchards at villages near the border with Turkey.

One single Turkish airstrike killed seven people near Sheladize, four of whom were identified by an Al-Masdar News source as:
► Ali Mistafa and Ciger Mistafa (brothers from Sida village)
► Sedat Sitki (from Kerya Dera village)
► Hakim Said (from Kerya Dara village)


A second Turkish airstrike in the farmland around Hore village in the Amadiya region led to the death of three Kurdish civilians, thus setting the total death toll at ten:
► Faxir Hair (from Darke village)
► Saban Said Dohuki (from Deraluk town)
► Ismet Temer Said (from Site village)

This region is notably under the control of Peshmerga which maintains close ties with the Turkish Government, allowing Ankara’s air force free rein in northern Iraq while the Turkish Army has been given several military bases despite protests by the Iraqi Government.

Neither Turkey nor the Peshmerga leadership have commented on the incident yet.

Over the past week, the Turkish Air Force has increased its activities over Kurdish-held northern Iraq. For instance, an additional three civilians were killed on Tuesday due to an airstrike on Tepeka village.

Iran's National Security Council today announced the closure of the Iranian airspace to the Kurdistan autonomous province of Iraq in the wake of the forthcoming Kurdistan independence vote.

Iran closes its airspace to the Iraqi Kurdistan province, begins training its troops in the wake of Monday's independence vote
http://www.fort-russ.com/2017/09/iran-closes-its-airspace-to-iraqi.html

According to Iranian media, the Council adopted its decision during this morning's session. This means that all flights between destinations in Iran and the cities of Erbil and Sulaymaniyah in Iranian Kurdistan, are now cancelled. No planes taking off from Iraqi Kurdistan province are allowed to cross into Iranian airspace either.

“The decision was made in accordance of the request of the Iraqi government”, the spokesman of the Council, Kiwan Khosrovi, was quoted as saying, adding that the decision of some Iraqi Kurdish officials on holding the referendum will limit the possibilities of a constructive dialogue with Baghdad and Iraq’s neighbours.

In addition, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps today began with massive training exercises at the border with the Kurdistan province of Iraq.

In the past, Tehran has issued multiple warnings to the ruling Barazani regime of Iraqi Kurdistan, saying there will be consequences should the province ever secede from Iraq.

For Monday, the ruling Barazani regime of Iraqi Kurdistan province, is scheduling a referendum on independence. The move is being opposed not only by Iraq and its neighbourng states, but several major world powers, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States including, as well.

 

[angelburst29]

The residents of the city of Kirkuk, claimed by both the autonomous region of Kurdistan and the federal government in Baghdad, are taking part in the referendum on independence from Iraq on Monday despite growing tensions between the local authorities and the central government.

Iraq: Residents of Disputed Kirkuk Voting on Kurdish Independence Amid Tensions
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201709251057672977-iraq-kirkuk-kurdistan-independence/

In the end of August, the authorities of the province of Kirkuk voted in favor of joining the vote for Iraqi Kurdistan's referendum. Baghdad has spoken out against the vote, questioning its legality.

The polling stations in Kirkuk, the capital of the oil-rich province of the same name, opened at 8 a.m. local time (5:00 GMT), the same time as throughout the autonomous region. Residents are filling the streets, many of them carrying Kurdistan's flags and heading for the polling stations. Many of them are wearing traditional clothing. People of all ages have come out to vote, both young and old, there are some families with children.

"Of course, we are happy, we will have a country of our own. We have been waiting for it for years, many have lost their lives in the fight for this moment," a woman named Ragda said.

The voting takes place only in the areas populated mostly by the Kurds. No polling stations have opened in the territory where Arabs or Turkmens live. Nevertheless, according to a local school director Lyaiki Mahmu, several members of the Turkmen's community have come to the polling station that she is overseeing.

"Yes, we want to be independent of Iraq, but without having any problems with it, without any tension, without offending our brothers, Arabs and Turkmens," the school's director said.

The city is quite calm, despite tension between Erbil and Baghdad. There are almost no people in the streets except those on their way to or from the polling stations, although the authorities have declared the day off to hold the referendum.

The province of Kirkuk has been under control of the Kurdish military forces, Peshmerga. A few days before the referendum the Kurdish forces have boosted their presence in the vicinity of the city.

Kirkuk Governor Najmaldin Karim told Sputnik in August that the province was an essential part of Iraqi Kurdistan and had a right to participate in the referendum. In September, the Iraqi parliament voted for the resignation of Karim, but the Council of the Iraqi northern province of Kirkuk voted against their decision and issued a statement saying that dismissing the government was the prerogative of the local authorities.

Baghdad and some foreign governments have voiced opposition to the referendum. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said earlier in the day that Turkey, which also has a significant Kurdish minority living on its territory, would not go to war, but it would take measures to ensure its national security.

The UN Security Council has expressed its concern, claiming that the referendum might destabilize Iraq, which is still fighting the Islamic State terrorist group (outlawed in many countries, including Russia).

Residents of Iraqi Kurdistan are voting in an independence referendum on Monday. Speaking to Sputnik Iran, Sabbah Zanganeh, former Iranian Ambassador to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, signaled his country's readiness to support Baghdad's push for a united Iraq.

As Iraqi Kurds Go to the Polls, Iran Warns Against 'Separatist Secession'
https://sputniknews.com/analysis/201709251057664491-iraqi-kurdistan-referendum-independence-iran/

Zanganeh, who is also an advisor to the Iranian Foreign Minister, pointed to "very warm and sincere relations" between the people of Iraqi Kurdistan and Iran, which he said have "a common history, culture and the way of life."

He recalled that residents of Iraqi Kurdistan do not have direct access to the sea, which is why they will undoubtedly have a tough time if their immediate neighbors Syria, Turkey and Iran close all border crossings and land borders.

Commenting on Tehran's determination to close its border with Iraqi Kurdistan if it declares independence, Zanganeh said that "these radical measures" were preceded by Tehran's "active negotiations with the authorities of Erbil and Baghdad."

"Tehran urged them to conduct a peaceful and friendly diplomatic dialogue in order to legally resolve Iraq's internal problems," he added.
Zanganeh described the independence referendum as "in fact Iraqi Kurdistan's separatist secession from a sovereign state."

"In this vein, [President of Iraqi Kurdistan] Masoud Barzani's attempts aimed at destabilizing the region will force Iran to act on the principle of parity. Apart from closing its borders, Iran may reconsider a huge number of bilateral contracts related to the military, energy and economic sectors, something that will deal a huge blow to the economy," Zanganeh pointed out.

He urged Barzani "to take into account the interests of not only Kurds, but also those people who live side by side with them, such as Muslim Shiites, Sunnis, Arabs and Christians."

"With the situation continuing to escalate, the probability of a military confrontation is growing. Given that Barzani's push for an independent Iraqi Kurdistan poses a threat to the future of both the Kurdish population and other tribes and nationalities, this is already a threat that must be neutralized," Zanganeh concluded.

In June, the President of Iraqi Kurdistan set September 25 as the date for the referendum on the region's independence from Iraq.

As the day of the Iraqi Kurdistan independence referendum draws nearer, debates intensify whether to hold the scheduled vote. Commetning on the upcoming occasion, Turkish expert Dogacan Basaran explained to Sputnik Turkiye why the region has very little chance of becoming, autonomous even if the voting does take place.

Why Iraqi Kurdistan Has Little Chance of Becoming Independent
https://sputniknews.com/analysis/201709241057648321-iraq-kirdistan-referendum/

Commenting on the upcoming occasion and all the buzz it is surrounded with, Dogacan Basaran, a Turkish expert at the Ankara Center for Crisis and Policy Studies (ANKASAM) explained to Sputnik Turkiye why the region has very slim chances of becoming autonomous, even if the voting does take place.

He noted that Turkey and Iran have openly objected the voting.

"On Monday, Iraq's Supreme Court issued an order to suspend the holding of the referendum set for September 25… until it examines the complaints it has received over this plebiscite being unconstitutional. Thus it is still unclear whether it will take place at all," the expert explained.

He further added that even if the voting does take place and Iraqi Kurds do vote for their independence, it won't be enough for Kurdistan set up autonomy from Baghdad, as it is going to face serious opposition among regional players. It will face a difficult struggle obtaining recognition for the state, defining its borders and setting up state structures. It is practically impossible to pursue any initiative or process if statehood is objected to by both Iran and Turkey, he said.

"The historic experience demonstrates that in the periods when Turkey and Iran consolidate their positions on a certain issue, any attempts by external forces to impose their initiatives on these two countries do fail. Judging by this experience, we can assume that Iraq Kurdistan won't get any independence because it is opposed by both Ankara and Tehran," Dogacan Basaran told Sputnik.

"The American project of Iraq Kurdistan under the leadership of President of Iraqi Kurdistan Masoud Barzani, which had been set up as part of The Greater Middle East, will most likely fail in its attempt to gain independence. It will apparently become a failure of the Barzani administration, which, in turn, will affect Turkish and Iranian Kurds, by cutting their separatist ambitions to a minimum," he further said.

Turkish Prime Minister did not rule out the termination of oil transit from Iraqi Kurdistan amid the independence referendum.

Turkey Not to Rule Out Curbing Oil Transit From Iraqi Kurdistan - PM
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201709251057668542-turkey-iraq-kurds-oil/

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim did not rule out the termination of oil transit from Iraqi Kurdistan regarding to the referendum on independence being held there.

"When the issue of national security is at stake, the economic losses of $300-500 million is not the problem, because of which such an economically strong country as Turkey can neglect its national security," Yildirim said on NTV television when asked about the possibility of stopping oil transit from Iraqi Kurdistan through the territory of Turkey.

Moreover, Turkey is not planning to wage a war because of the referendum on the independence of Iraqi Kurdistan, but will take steps to ensure its national security, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Monday.

"We are not starting a war, let our citizens be calm, but we will protect our national security," Yildirim said on NTV channel.

 

[angelburst29]

Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region head is holding an independence referendum despite strong objections from the central government in Baghdad and in defiance of urgent calls from the international community to scrap the vote plan.

Iraq Kurdistan Holds Referendum in Defiance of Intl. Community
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960703000197

A total of 12,072 polling stations have opened at 8:00 local time (05:00 GMT) Monday where more than 5.3 million are eligible to vote. Polls will remain open for 12 hours, presstv reported. The stations are dotted across the three provinces of Arbil, Sulaimaniyah and Dohuk that form the Iraqi Kurdistan Region as well as in disputed bordering zones such as the oil-rich province of Kirkuk. Initial results are expected to be announced 24 hours after the vote.

The non-binding vote on the secession of the autonomous region has irked the central government.

Baghdad on Sunday urged the world countries not to purchase oil from the semi-autonomous Kurdish region in response to the referendum hours after rime Minister Haider al-Abadi vowed to take the “necessary measures” to protect the unity of Iraq. His remarks came after Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani urged “all Kurds” to go to the polls, saying his people’s partnership with the central government in Baghdad had failed.

Iraqi government asked the foreign countries to halt oil trading with the Kurdistan Region, as the Kurds cast their votes in a planned referendum on independence on Monday.

Iraq Asks Foreign Countries to Halt Oil Trading with Kurdistan Region
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960703000490

Iraqi Prime Minister, Haider al-Abadi, office released a statement asking the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to hand over international border posts and its international airports, NRT reported. The government of Iraq also asked the foreign countries to deal with the central government in regards to airports and borders.

Meanwhile, Iraqi National Security Council in a statement called on the neighboring countries and foreign countries to only deal with the Iraqi government in regard to border crossings and oil.

The council also called on the public-prosecutor to investigate those who have taken steps to hold referendum which is against constitution and a decision of the Iraqi federal court.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced that Baghdad will not allow the creation of an “ethnic government” in the Arab country.

PM: Iraq Does Not Allow Creation of Ethnic Govt.
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960703000837

The Iraqi premier made the remarks in a televised address on Sunday, a day before the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), led by Massoud Barzani, is to hold a contentious plebiscite on independence of the semi-autonomous Kurdish region, presstv reported.

Abadi also vowed that the Iraqi leaders would not allow the Arab country to return to “dark times” of the past, promising that he would also take the “necessary measures” to protect the unity of Iraq.

“Taking a unilateral decision, which can affect the unity of Iraq and its security and the security of the region, through a referendum on separation, is unconstitutional and against civil peace. We will take the necessary measures to preserve the unity of the country," the Iraqi prime minister added.

Abadi also stated that Baghdad would not “abandon” the Kurdish citizens, saying, “Iraq will remain for all Iraqis. We will not allow it to become a possession of one or the other, and we will not permit anyone to play with Iraq and not pay the consequences.”

The Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi has ordered the security forces to protect civilians threatened to vote in favour of Barzani regime’s Kurdistan independence referendum, following several complaints from minorities living in the Kurdistan province.

Iraq determined to protect minorities threatened by the Kurdistan independence referendum, will persecute pro-KRG officials
http://www.fort-russ.com/2017/09/iraq-determined-to-protect-minorities.html

In addition, Iraq is also moving its military into Kirkuk, a territory which is the subject of dispute between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi government of Baghdad.

On Monday, the Iraqi Parliament passed laws to investigate oil revenues exported from Kurdistan province and bank accounts of Kurdish politicians.

The parliament has also voted on draft resolution to persecute any officials or state employees who participated in the Kurdistan independence referendum.

 

[angelburst29]

A senior Iraqi official announced that the government has adopted a number of introductory measures in reaction to the holding of the independence referendum in the Kurdistan region.

Iraqi Gov't Starts Measures against Referendum in Kurdistan Region
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960703001532

The official who called for anonymity told the Arabic-language Asia new channel that necessary coordination has been made with the relevant countries to stop cooperation with the Kurdistan region, specially at airports, air transition, and in oil exports, and reroute all their cooperation to the central government. "The countries have agreed and taken early steps in this regard," he added.

The official said that the employees who have played a role in the referendum will also be prosecuted.

Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) announced on Sunday that it has closed its airspace to all flights to and from the Iraqi Kurdistan region at the demand of the Baghdad government.

"All Iranian flights to Soleimaniyeh and Erbil as well as flights from the Iraqi Kurdistan region passing through the Iranian airspace came to a halt at the demand of Iraq's central government," SNSC Spokesman Keivan Khosravi said.

He said that the decision was taken after the failure of Iran's good-will political efforts to convince the Iraqi Kurdistan region's officials not to hold an independence referendum.

Khosravi added that the hasty decision by some Kurdistan region officials will limit the Kurds' power as an actor and in constructive talks and will create serious challenges for Iraq's sovereignty and the security of the Kurdish people, Iraq and the region.

Thousands of dead and members of minority groups have apparently participated in the Monday independence referendum in the Iraqi Kurdistan region while experts have raised the possibility of fraud and vote rigging in the voting, an Iraqi news website reported on Tuesday.

News Outlet: Referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan Region Participated by Thousands of Walking Dead
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960704001073

Al-Journal news website quoted informed Kurdish opposition sources as saying that President of the Iraqi Kurdistan region Massoud Barzani has bought a special software worth $500mln from a Spanish company to falsify the results of referendum voting in regions whose people were against the voting, including Soleimanieh and the disputed areas.

"Beside falsifying the results of the referendum, the Kurdish officials had invited fake observers from poor countries, including the Philippines, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh to legitimize the referendum," the sources said.

The report said the names of thousands of those who had died years ago were registered in the voting, while a large number of minority groups were forced and threatened to take part in the referendum and drop a yes vote.

According to the website, political observers believe that Barzani and his party have practiced fraud in the referendum to change the results in Soleimanieh and Kirkuk as they faced people's low turnout in these regions.

 

[angelburst29]

Iraqi Kurds have voted in favor of the creation of an independent state amid high tensions with the Iraqi government over the issue.

Iraq's Kurds Say 'Yes' to Creation of Independent State - Electoral Commission
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201709271057750470-iraq-kurds-independence/

The High Elections and Referendum Commission said on Wednesday that more than 92.73 percent of voters supported the idea of Iraqi Kurdistan's independence from Baghdad.

The voter turnout was 72 percent, with 3.35 million people taking part in the referendum, according to official data. Some 2.8 million people voted for independence, while only 224,000, — or 7.2 percent — voted against it.

The chairman of the election commission stated that the results of the referendum are legitimate and no violations were registered during the vote.

"We carried out our work in all parts of Kurdistan. The process was very successful. Many international observers participated. The referendum was held without violations," the commission's spokesman said at a press conference.

The governor of Kurdish-controlled Kirkuk province has said to Sputnik that the region will not obey Baghdad despite the Iraqi government’s decision to send troops to the region that it claims as its own.

Province of Kirkuk Obeys Neither Iraqi Government, Nor Parliament – Governor
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201709271057753981-kirkuk-iraq-disobedience/

Kirkuk province, Iraq’s disputed area officially controlled by Baghdad, but de-facto remaining under the control of the Kurdish authorities does not obey Iraq’s government or the parliament, province’s Governor Najmiddin Karim told Sputnik on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi said Iraqi authorities would use the power of law to return the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan, which has recently held an independence referendum, under its control.

"We are still in touch with Baghdad. In regards to this decision [on Karim’s resignation] — is illegal and unconstitutional. The laws on Kirkuk are pretty clear – the province is not in subjection to the prime minister or parliament. Because the Kirkuk governor was not entrusted by the parliament and thus the latter does not have the right to dismiss him," Karim said.

Earlier this month, the Iraqi parliament voted in favor of Karim’s dismissal for allowing the referendum to take place on the territory of the region. The parliament also ruled on Wednesday to give a mandate to Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi to deploy the armed forces to Kirkuk.

The Russian consulate general in Erbil is unaware of the diplomatic missions' closure in Iraqi Kurdistan, consul general told Sputnik on Wednesday.

Russian Consulate General in Erbil Unaware of Mission Closure in Iraqi Kurdistan
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201709271057753109-russia-erbil-kurdistan-consulate/

“I have not heard about this, I will have to verify this information,” Simakov said.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, the Iraqi parliament called on the country's government to summon the ambassadors of the states which had diplomatic missions in Iraqi Kurdistan region to inform them about closure and transfer to other provinces in light of the region’s independence referendum.

Iraqi Kurdistan's pursuit of independence has dealt a blow to the region's economic stability, Turkish political analyst Bora Bayraktar told Sputnik, revealing that while Ankara, Tehran and Baghdad are seeking to maintain Iraq's territorial integrity, the US, Israel and the Gulf States are interested in the creation of a Kurdish state.

'Good Cop, Bad Cop': US, Israel 'Interested in Creation of Kurdish State'
https://sputniknews.com/analysis/201709271057753193-us-israel-kurdistan-independence/

The independence referendum has jeopardized the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)'s achievements earned over the last 15 years, claims Turkish journalist and political analyst Bora Bayraktar, explaining that the US and Israel play "good cop, bad cop" over the Iraqi Kurds' pursuit of sovereignty.

If you recollect the US' actions in the region since the 1990s, it will become clear that they supported the idea of creating a Kurdish state," Bayraktar told Sputnik Turkey. "This could also be concluded from the fact that the US provided assistance to the [Syrian Kurdish] Democratic Union Party (PYD)."

Given this, the Trump administration's notion that the US "strongly opposes" the KGR's referendum on independence can be regarded as a tactical ploy, the analyst believes.

On September 20, the US State Department called upon Erbil "to accept the alternative, which is a serious and sustained dialogue with the central [Iraqi] government, facilitated by the United States and United Nations, and other partners" and stressed that "virtually the entire international community" also opposed the independence vote planned for September 25.

However, according to Bayraktar, Washington protested against the referendum "in words only," in order to avoid discontent among regional players, most notably Turkey.

"In reality, if you look not at words, but at actions, it becomes clear that it was the US who was behind the idea to hold a referendum in the [Iraqi Kurdistan]. In my opinion, this is an important part of [Washington's] strategic plan in the region," the analyst suggested.

He believes that currently the US is playing a double game by criticizing the Iraqi Kurds' initiative and at the same time tacitly endorsing it. Washington is not the only power that supports Kurdistan's independence, the analyst added, referring to the Persian Gulf monarchies and Israel.

Israel has repeatedly signaled that it endorses the Iraqi Kurds' aspirations.

In mid-August Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed a "positive attitude" toward a Kurdish state, calling the nation one of "brave, pro-Western people who share our [Israeli] values," The Jerusalem Post reported citing sources familiar with the matter.

In September Netanyahu reiterated his support for Iraqi Kurdistan's incentive to gain sovereignty. His statement came just weeks before the referendum in the Kurdistan Autonomous Region in Iraq.

According to Bayraktar, the US, Saudi Arabia and Israel are opposing Iran and Turkey on the Kurdish independence issue.

 

[angelburst29]

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey threatened to halt steps being taken toward normalization with Israel if it does not end its support for an independent Kurdish state.

Turkey’s Erdogan threatens to halt renewed Israel ties over backing for Kurdish state September 26, 2017
_https://www.jta.org/2017/09/26/news-opinion/israel-middle-east/turkeys-erdogan-threatens-to-halt-renewed-israel-ties-over-backing-for-kurdish-state

“If Israel does not reconsider its support for Kurdish independence, Turkey will not be able to take many steps we would have with Israel, too,” Erdogan said Tuesday, the day after a nonbinding referendum by Iraqi Kurdistan on whether to seek independence. His remarks were reported by the Turkish Daily Sabah.

Netanyahu was the only leader in the region to endorse the referendum.

Turkey and Israel are working on repairing ties that were broken after an Israeli raid on a flotilla trying to break the naval blockade of Gaza in 2010 left nine Turkish activists dead. The countries began re-establishing diplomatic ties last year following an apology by Israel and the payment of $20 million in compensation to the victims’ families.

On Monday, 78 percent of 5.2 million eligible voters turned out for the referendum. The results are expected back Thursday, and an overwhelming “yes” vote is predicted.

The ballot question read: “Do you want the Kurdistan Region and Kurdistani areas outside the Region to become an independent country?”

Turkey and Iran, which share their borders with Iraq, also have sizable Kurdish populations, many living in those border areas.

Erdogan said Turkey would initiate political, economic, commercial and security steps against the Kurdistan Regional Government in response to the referendum. Iraq has threatened a military response.

“A referendum was conducted in northern Iraq, and only supported by Israel,” the Turkish leader said Tuesday. “If the PKK is celebrating before the ballot boxes are even opened, there is no innocence or legitimacy there. This should be known as that. The results are also shady in this referendum, which how and under what conditions it was conducted, is unknown.

“Who will recognize your independence? Israel. The world is not about Israel.”

The United States and the United Nations have not voiced support for the referendum, fearing it will destabilize the region and harm the coalition against the Islamic State.

Secretary of Iran's Expediency Council (EC) Mohsen Rezayee blasted the referendum in Iraq's Kurdistan region, and said that Tel Aviv will gain a lot from the instability and chaotic situation in the region.

Official: Israel Benefiting From Referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan
http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960705000378

This is in the interest of Israel and those who want to expand insecurity in the region," Rezayee told reporters on Tuesday.

The EC secretary underlined that Kurdistan needs security, development and progress; any kind of conflict would make them to lag behind peace and progress.

Rezayee reiterated that the region will face insecurity which would lead to Israel's ill-treatment.

Asked about Iran's approach to the referendum on Iraqi Kurdistan, he said, "We must preserve the territorial integrity of the countries and prevent the change of geographical boundaries."

In relevant remarks on Monday, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani warned that arrangement of a referendum for independence of Iraq's Kurdistan region will harm the Kurds and the entire nation in Iraq.

"Although this issue might be attractive in appearance but actually, it will isolate and pressure the Iraqi Kurds and weaken Kurdistan and finally the entire Iraq," Shamkhani said in a meeting with First Deputy Secretary of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Kosrat Rasul and Chief of Executive Body Politburo of the Union Mala Bakhtiar in Tehran.

Stressing that holding a referendum doesn’t meet the real needs and priorities of the people and runs counter to the Iraqi officials' policy, he warned, "Certain regional and trans-regional states want to weaken Iraq and the large countries in West Asia."

Trent Franks, a member of the US House of Representatives introduced a resolution on Monday to convey the Congress’ support for Kurdistan Region's independence.

Congressman Introduces Bill in Support of Kurds’ Right to Sovereignty Featured
http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/kurdistan/381399

Franks, a member of the House Committee on Armed Services and known for his support of Kurds, introduced the resolution after Kurdistan held a referendum for independence on Monday.

Franks’ resolution is to express “the sense of the House of Representatives that the people of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq have the right to determine their status as a sovereign country.”

As part of the resolution, Franks cited United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as a justification for Kurds’ right to self-determination. In addition, the Kurdish people have been a key ally in the fight against Islamic State in both Syria and Iraq.

“Baghdad has failed to secure the Kurdish rights and effectively protect the Kurdish people from the members of the Islamic State and other violent forces, and as any nation in our international community has the right to self-determination, especially if those people face existential threats, I feel that the United States is obligated to support their bid for independence – if it is in our national interest,” Franks said in a statement.

The resolution, if passed, would call on the international community, along with the United States, to recognize the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s right to self-determination.

 

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Iraqi Member of Parliament - The Creation of a “Second Israel”? Kurdistan Will Cause Years of War
https://www.globalresearch.ca/the-creation-of-a-second-israel-kurdistan-will-cause-years-of-war/5610726

An Iraqi official has accused “racist” Kurds of trying to establish a second Israel that will throw the region into years of conflict.

“The step that was taken by some racists in Kurdistan will bring instability to the entire region for years to come. The representatives of such efforts had established the state of Israel in 1948,” Mowaffak al-Rubaie, an MP from the ruling Shiite National Alliance told reporters in the Iraqi parliament.

There have been three wars since the creation of Israel, he added. Rubaie is a former National Security Adviser. “The one who loses the most is our beloved Kurdish nation,” he continued.

On Monday, the Iraqi parliament requested Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi to deploy troops to the areas that have come under Peshmerga control since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 the latest in a series of measures announced by Abadi. On Sunday, he called on foreign nations to close their air and land borders with the Kurdistan Region.

Rubaie warned that all the achievements made by Kurds in Iraq since 2003 are now under threat.

“The government should take decisive, forceful, strong, and practical steps against those who made adventures with the destiny of the people of Kurdistan,” the Iraqi MP said, adding that Iraq should make use of “soft power” for now against the Kurdish leadership.

While he said that it is “unacceptable” to use military force against the Kurdistan Region, “security” options are not off the table.

“The sanctions should not target the people of Kurdistan,” he explained, but “racists Kurds” who called for the vote.

He also said that tens of MPs are working on collecting signatures to remove the Iraqi President, Fuad Masum, a Kurd, from his position for failing to protect Iraq’s territorial integrity.

Masum, who is currently in Baghdad, has been working to mediate between Erbil and Baghdad with the help of the United Nations. He also called the decision to go to the vote as “unilateral.”

Iraq’s Vice President Nouri al-Maliki, head of the ruling Shiite State of Law Coalition, rejected the US sponsored initiative that was presented by Masum.

Kurdistan’s Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani told reporters earlier on Monday that steps taken by the Iraqi government are “collective punishment.”

 

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According to a military source, the Iraqi troops are waiting for the Prime Minister's order to deploy into the regions contested by both Baghdad and Erbil, particularly, the oil-rich Kirkuk province after a mandate given by the country's parliament.

Iraqi Forces Wait for Abadi's Order to Move to Disputed Kurdistan Regions
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201709281057787211-iraq-troops-kurdistan/

The Iraqi troops are waiting for Prime Minister Haider Abadi's order to deploy troops to the disputed with Iraqi Kurdistan regions, a military source told Sputnik on Thursday.

The Iraqi parliament ruled on Wednesday to give a mandate to Abadi to deploy the armed forces into the regions contested by both Baghdad and Erbil, particularly, the oil-rich Kirkuk province, which has been under the control of the Kurdish Peshmerga militia for three years.

"The Iraqi military forces have completed their preparations and are located in the vicinity, waiting for the order of Prime Minister, Supreme Commander Haider Abadi on Friday to head to the disputed areas and defend the residents," the source said.

A senior official of the Kurdistan Democratic Party told Sputnik that the party would determine the candidate for the autonomy's presidency in a week.

KDP to Determine Candidate for Iraqi Kurdistan Presidency Within Week - Official
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201709281057772657-kdp-candidate-kurdistan-presidency/

The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), ruling in Iraqi Kurdistan, will determine the candidate for the post of the autonomy's head within a week, head of the party's faction in Iraqi Kurdistan's parliament Omed Khoshnaw told Sputnik.

Now, after the referendum, we are just hoping that within a week the matter will be set in motion and the issue will be resolved because the main thing was done," Khoshnaw said, adding that it was unknown yet who would be the candidate from the party.

On Monday, the independence vote took place in the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan as well as in the disputed areas officially controlled by Baghdad. More than 90 percent of voters cast their ballots in favor of gaining independence from Iraq according to local media.

Despite its tough rhetoric Turkey will hardly send troops into Northern Iraq following Monday’s independence vote in Iraq’s Kurdish region, as it wants to avoid confrontation with the US and Israel, which support the Kurdish Regional Government in Iraq (KRGI), a Turkish political analyst told Sputnik.

Turkish Military 'Highly Unlikely' to Intervene in North Iraq Amid Kurdish Vote
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201709281057768451-turkey-kurds-referendum/

Huseyin Bagci, a foreign relations expert at the Middle East Technical University in Ankara (ODTU), mentioned the mutually-beneficial relationship which had until very recently existed between Turkey and the Kurdish leaders in northern Iraq.

Ankara had previously provided across-the-board support for the KRGI, building up the autonomy’s infrastructure and even paying salaries to local state workers.

“We are talking about more than 35,000 people working at more than 1,500 local companies and mutual assurances of friendship coming from Ankara and Erbil. Then comes the referendum and, almost overnight, the KRGI is seen by Turkey as an enemy. This is not what I call a balanced and sensible policy,” Bagci said in an interview with Sputnik Turkey.

He added that Erbil went ahead with Monday’s plebiscite despite strong international opposition, and warned that if KRGI leader Masoud Barzani stays the course of creating an independent Kurdistan, this would complicate the situation even further.

“But even so, Ankara would have no legal right to intervene because this is a domestic Iraqi affair. Turkey could intervene if asked to by Baghdad, but this is highly unlikely. Turkey could use economic sanctions, but they would backfire. In any case, Ankara will not intervene militarily because this would mean a direct confrontation with America and Israel which support the KRGI,” Huseyin Bagci said.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry called on the citizens of the country to leave the Iraqi Kurdistan autonomous region before Baghdad shuts international flights from the province's Erbil and Sulaymaniyah airports.

Ankara Urges Turkish Citizens to Leave Iraqi Kurdistan
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/201709281057785186-raqi-kurdistan-erbil-sulaymaniyah-airports-shutting/

"We consider it reasonable for our citizens, who do not have the pressing need to stay in Northern Iraq, to leave its territory before flights are terminated there at 18:00 [15:00 GMT] September 29," the Thursday statement read.

A British filmmaker has been killed in an ambush by Daesh fighters while working alongside Kurdish forces battling in Syria.

British Filmmaker 'Loved by Kurdish Community' Killed in Daesh Ambush Near Raqqa
https://sputniknews.com/viral/201709281057780861-british-filmmaker-death-syria/

Daesh fighters have killed a British filmmaker in a surprise attack on a Kurdish forces military camp close to the Syrian city of Raqqa.

Mehmet Aksoy had been working as a press officer for the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) when the base in which he was stationed was ambushed on Tuesday, September 26.

Aksoy, 32, a Turkish Kurd, had been standing outside the media center when a small group of jihadis staged a surprise attack on the compound, thought to be 20 kilometers from the front-line at Raqqa.

Driving pick-ups, the Daesh fighters killed five guards at the main gate before entering the compound where they continued to open fire. It is understood Aksoy and a female Kurdish journalist died in a hail of bullets.

The YPG fighters eventually fought back, killing all the attackers.

His death is thought to bring the total of British citizens killed to five while volunteering with the US-led militia spearheading the battle against Daesh in Syria.

"The UK has advised for some time against all travel to Syria. As all UK consular services are suspended in Syria, it is extremely difficult to confirm the whereabouts and status of British nationals in the country," a British Foreign Office spokesperson said.

Making 'Photo Stories' to Inform - It is understood Aksoy, born in Malatya eastern Turkey, but who moved to Britain with his family at the age of 10, had traveled to Syria in June without telling his parents.

He gained a masters degree in filmmaking at Goldsmith's, University of London, and wanted to make a documentary film on the battle for Raqqa. His job was also to liaise with journalists in Britain and around the world covering the conflict.

Aksoy founded and edited a news website called Kurdish Questions, while working also on social media and international news outlets raising awareness on the latest developments in the war-torn zone.

In a video posted online hours after his death, he described his work there, saying: "The battle against [Daesh], we make photo stories, we tell the stories of the fighters and the liberation of civilians.

"The press officer has to inform the public about the war, about the struggle that is going on here, about the humanitarian work."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2K2aGQY2Ok (1:19 min.)

London Pays Tribute A twilight vigil in his honor was held on Wednesday, September 27, at the Kurdish Community Center in north London attended by his parents along with nearly 300 British Kurds.

Tributes have also been paid on social media to Aksoy who went by the nom de guerre "Firaz Dag" in memory of his uncle who was killed in Turkey in the 1990s as a guerrilla fighter with the PKK.

Aylina Kilic, a Kurdish reporter, wrote on Twitter:

Haje Keli, a research student in London, wrote on Facebook: "You were one of the most charming and charismatic people I've ever met. When I found out a few weeks ago that you went back to Rojava, I expected to see you back in London for the film festival."

In another Facebook post, the YPG described him as a "martyr".

It added: "Comrade Firaz was carrying out all his work in English in order to introduce the whole world to the truths of the revolution and make the occupation and exploitation of the Kurdish people visible."

 

[angelburst29]

An effort to form a new state out of the most stable and U.S.-friendly region of Iraq has gained an ally in Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Chuck Schumer backs formation of new state out of northern Iraq
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/chuck-schumer-backs-formation-of-new-state-out-of-northern-iraq/article/2635850

The New York Democrat called for President Trump to endorse the formation of an independent state out of northern Iraq, which is populated by an ethnic minority known as the Kurds. Such a move would reward the Kurdish militias, who proved the most effective local fighting force in the war against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. But it would also redraw the lines of the modern Middle East, which would have ramifications for other U.S. allies.

"The Kurds are one of the largest ethnic groups in the Middle East without a homeland and they have fought long and hard for one," Schumer said Wednesday. "Despite this, the Kurds continue to get a raw deal and are told to wait for tomorrow, which is why it's past due that the world, led by the United States, immediately back a political process to address the aspirations of the Kurds."

That statement follows a referendum that saw about 93 percent of Kurdish voters support a split from the central Iraqi government and the formation of their own state. Officials from the semi-autonomous region of Kurdish Iraq proceeded with the vote despite opposition from the U.S.-backed central government Baghdad.

"The United States government and the coalition's concern about this and the timing of this referendum was we didn't want to splinter Iraq," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert told reporters Tuesday. "We see the primary issue as taking on ISIS, defeating ISIS, annihilating ISIS, so that they never come to try to rule over and terrorize the Iraqi people again. We'd like to keep our eye on the ball with that. That failed; that is a concern of ours and is deeply disappointing."

The referendum is a sign of the regional rivalries that have complicated American efforts to counter the rise of ISIS since 2014. The terrorist group took advantage of the Syrian civil war to establish a base of operations and then launched a major invasion of Iraq, carving a "caliphate" out of adjoining territory in both countries.

The official Iraqi military collapsed, but Kurds in Syria and Iraq proved to be crucial members of the U.S.-led coalition to defeat the terrorists. That strained U.S. relations with Turkey, a key NATO ally, because Turkish Kurds have been fighting a separatist war against the government in Ankara. Turkey regarded U.S. coordination with the Syrian Kurds as a potentially greater threat to their interests than ISIS.

The Turks responded by attacking Kurdish positions at various times in recent years in order to pre-empt the possibility of the Kurds acquiring independence in Syria. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan even accused the U.S. of cooperating with terrorists. "[Such accusations are] not only not true, but they're harmful to our relationship," then-State Department spokesman Mark Toner told reporters in January.

Schumer implied that Trump should rebuff Erdogan, who has pursued increasingly authoritarian policies in recent years.

"In the months ahead, I hope all Iraqis will engage in a dialogue and peacefully determine the best way to accommodate the well-deserved and legitimate aspirations of the Iraqi Kurds," Schumer said. "Iraqi's neighboring countries, however, led by despots who all oppose a Kurdish State because it threatens the status quo and their self-interests, need to respect the need for the Kurds — and the Iraqis — to determine their own future."

Turkey said on Thursday it had stopped training peshmerga forces in northern Iraq in response to a Kurdish independence vote there, whose backers had thrown themselves “into the fire”.

Turkey stops training Iraqi Kurdish peshmerga after independence vote
http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFKCN1C3149?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2FAFRICAWorldNews+%28News+%2F+AFRICA+%2F+World+News%29&&rpc=401

The Kurdish peshmerga have been at the forefront of the campaign against Islamic State and been trained by NATO-member Turkey’s military since late 2014.

Northern Iraq’s main link to the outside world, Turkey views Monday’s vote - which final results on Wednesday showed overwhelming in favour of independence from Baghdad - as a clear security threat.

Fearing it will inflame separatism among its own Kurds, Ankara had already threatened military and economic measures in retaliation. Government spokesman Bekir Bozdag reiterated on Thursday any such actions would be coordinated with the Iraqi central government.

Bozdag, also a deputy prime minister, told broadcaster TGRT in an interview that more steps would follow the peshmerga decision and that the prime ministers of Turkey and Iraq would meet soon.

Turkey, which is home to the region’s largest Kurdish population, is battling a three-decade Kurdish insurgency in its southeast, which borders northern Iraq.

MINIMUM DAMAGE? President Tayyip Erdogan said it was inevitable that the referendum “adventure” in northern Iraq, carried out despite Turkey’s warnings, would end in disappointment.

“With its independence initiative, the northern Iraq regional government has thrown itself into the fire,” he said in a speech to police officers at his palace in Ankara.

Earlier this week, Erdogan said Iraqi Kurds would go hungry if his country halted the flow of trucks and oil across the border, near where Turkish and Iraqi soldiers have been carrying out military exercises this week.

Hundreds of thousands of barrels of oil a day flow through a pipeline in Turkey from northern Iraq, connecting the region to global oil markets.

Erdogan has repeatedly threatened economic sanctions, but has given few details.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said Turkey would not shy away from giving the harshest response to a national security threat on its border, but that this was not its first choice.

Speaking in the central Turkish province of Corum, Yildirim said Turkey, Iran and Iraq were doing their best to overcome the crisis caused by the referendum with the minimum damage.

Iraq, including the Kurdish region, was Turkey’s third-largest export market in 2016, according to IMF data. Turkish exports to the country totalled $8.6 billion, behind Germany and Britain.