Iraqi Parliament Rejects Kurdish Independence Vote
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iraq’s parliament voted on Tuesday to reject a Kurdish region independence referendum planned for Sept. 25, authorizing the prime minister to take all measures to preserve Iraq’s unity, a lawmaker said.
“Kurdish lawmakers walked out of the session but the decision to reject the referendum was passed by a majority,” Mohammed al-Karbouli said, according to Reuters.
Kurdish lawmaker Majid Shingali said Kurds would reject the decision.
“This decision has no value and we will not implement it,” he said.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s government had previously rejected the referendum as unilateral and unconstitutional.
Regional countries, including Iran, Syria and Turkey have also opposed the idea of Iraqi Kurdish independence.
Tehran has voiced opposition to the plan, reiterating its policy of supporting Iraq’s territorial integrity.
In June, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said, “The Islamic Republic of Iran’s principled and clear stance is supporting Iraq’s territorial integrity and coherence.”
“The Kurdistan Region is part of the Republic of Iraq,” he underlined.