Iran warns Kirkuk over Iraqi Kurdistan referendum

Iran on Wednesday warned the Iraqi province of Kirkuk against taking part in next month's Iraqi Kurdistan independence referendum, saying it is "wrong, provocative and unacceptable".

The council in Kirkuk, an ethnically mixed region under Baghdad's control, voted Tuesday to take part in the referendum, a move the Iraqi central government denounced as illegal and unconstitutional.

The plans to hold the September 25 referendum have been criticised by neighbouring Turkey and Iran, which have large Kurdish minority populations.

On Wednesday, Iran said "the Kirkuk council's decision to take part in the Kurdistan region's referendum is wrong, provocative and unacceptable".

A statement from the foreign ministry described as "dangerous" the referendum it said had been rejected by the Iraqi central government, the United Nations, many countries in the region and beyond.
 [ahram.org.eg/AFP]
30/8/17
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