Kurdistan Referendum: Iraq to Use Force If Vote Turns Violent
Local Editor
Iraq is prepared to intervene militarily if the Kurdish region's planned independence referendum results in violence, Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi told the Associated Press in an interview.
If the Iraqi population is "threatened by the use of force outside the law, then we will intervene militarily," he said Saturday.
Iraq's Kurdish region plans to hold the referendum on support for independence from Iraq on Sept. 25 in three governorates that make up their autonomous region, and in disputed areas controlled by Kurdish forces but claimed by Baghdad.
"If you challenge the constitution and if you challenge the borders of Iraq and the borders of the region, this is a public invitation to the countries in the region to violate Iraqi borders as well, which is a very dangerous escalation," Abadi said.
Meanwhile, the leaders of Iraq's Kurdish region said they hope the referendum will push Baghdad to come to the negotiating table and create a path for independence.
However, Abadi stressed that such negotiations would likely be complicated by the referendum vote.
"It will make it harder and more difficult," he said, but added, "I will never close the door to negotiations. Negotiations are always possible."
Iraqi Kurds have come under increasing pressure from regional powers, the US and Baghdad to call off the vote.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
