Iraqi Kurds gear up for independence vote
Iraqi Kurds were preparing to vote in a referendum set for today on independence for their autonomous northern region, despite warnings within the country and from neighbours Iran and Turkey.
Iran upped the pressure yesterday, announcing it had blocked all flights to and from Kurdistan at Baghdad's request.
Iraq's federal government has called the referendum unconstitutional and there are concerns the vote could lead to unrest.
Washington and many Western countries have also called for its postponement or cancellation, saying it will hamper the fight against the Islamic State group.
But in regional capital Arbil, the political heartland of President Massud Barzani who initiated the referendum, Kurdish flags were everywhere.
Most in the city said they would vote, but some also feared the possible consequences.
"We look forward to hearing what the situation will be after September 25, as most Kurds will vote for independence to fulfil our dream of an independent state," said labourer Ahmad Souleiman, 30.
"What we're afraid of is that our enemies have evil intentions towards us."
Iran and Turkey have sizeable Kurdish populations of their own and fear the vote will stoke separatist aspirations at home.
Iran's official IRNA news agency cited a security spokesman yesterday as saying: "At the request of the central government of Iraq, all flights from Iran to Sulaymaniyah and Arbil, as well as all flights through our airspace originating from the Kurdistan region, have been stopped."
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