Kurds offer to ‘freeze’ referendum result

Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan Region has offered to “freeze” the result of September’s referendum on independence and begin dialogue with Baghdad. A statement also proposed a ceasefire “in order to prevent further violence and clashes” triggered by the launch of a Iraqi military operation last week. It saw troops and police retake control of disputed areas […]

Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan Region has offered to “freeze” the result of September’s referendum on independence and begin dialogue with Baghdad.

A statement also proposed a ceasefire “in order to prevent further violence and clashes” triggered by the launch of a Iraqi military operation last week.

It saw troops and police retake control of disputed areas controlled by the Kurds since 2014, including Kirkuk.

The Arab-led central government has yet to respond to the Kurdish offer.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has said the referendum, which saw people living in Kurdish-held areas overwhelmingly back secession, was illegal and has previously demanded that the result be annulled.

Meanwhile, Iran has re-opened a crossing on its frontier with the Kurdistan Region that it closed after the referendum – something it also opposed.

On Tuesday night, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) said both sides were “obliged to act responsibly” in order to prevent further bloodshed.