According to the preliminary results of the Kurdistan Region’s independence referendum, provided by the High Referendum Council, nearly 93% of the votes are in favour of Kurdistan’s independence, with voter turnout of 72%.
The referendum covered not only the Kurdistan Regional Territories, but also among others the contensted oil-rich region of Kirkuk, which is controlled by Iraqi Kurdistan forces.
93% of the people living inside the Kurdish region of Iraq have voted Yes For Independence. pic.twitter.com/k2iUFIu3YL
— Ari Murad (@AriMuradd) 27 September 2017
Meanwhile, Prime Minister of Iraq Haider-al Abadi got parliamentary permission to send troops in Kirkuk. Iraqi forces should take position in all contentious regions according to their state respective of up to July 10, 2014.
The Parliament stressed that the government should bring all oil deposits in Kirkuk and other contentious regions back under its control, and not allow any intervention from different parties present in the areas.
The Kurds occupied Kirkuk territory in the course of fighting ISIS. The region’s governor Najmaldin Karim stated that security forces would not allow the Army to enter the province.
“We know the Army’s position. It was present in Mosul, Hawija, Ramadi, and then it disappeared the moment ISIS soldiers appeared. In Kirkuk we rely upon our own security forces like Peshmerga, Asayish and the Police,” says Karim.
He also stressed that Kirkuk does not obey the Government of Iraq, or its Parliament.
