Parliament rejects Kurdish independence referendum

Iraq’s parliament has rejected Kurdish plans to hold an independence referendum aimed at creating a Kurdish state in Iraq’s nothern territory, a lawmaker announced on Tuesday. The resolution, which labelled the ballot due to take place on September 25 a “threat to … the civil peace and regional security”, authorises Haider al-Abadi, Iraq’s prime minister, […]

Iraq’s parliament has rejected Kurdish plans to hold an independence referendum aimed at creating a Kurdish state in Iraq’s nothern territory, a lawmaker announced on Tuesday. The resolution, which labelled the ballot due to take place on September 25 a “threat to … the civil peace and regional security”, authorises Haider al-Abadi, Iraq’s prime minister, to take any measures necessary to preserve Iraq’s existing borders.

A breakdown for the vote was not immediately available. “Kurdish lawmakers walked out of the session but the decision to reject the referendum was passed by a majority,” Mohammed al-Karbouli, an Iraqi MP, said.