Turnout high as Iraqi Kurds defy threats to hold independence vote

[Sunlei]

Source: reuters

ERBIL/SULAIMANIYA, Iraq (Reuters) - Kurds voted in large numbers in an independence referendum in northern Iraq on Monday, ignoring pressure from Baghdad, threats from Turkey and Iran, and international warnings that the vote may ignite yet more regional conflict.

The vote organized by Kurdish authorities is expected to deliver a comfortable “yes” for independence, but is not binding. However, it is designed to give Masoud Barzani, who heads the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), a mandate to negotiate the secession of the oil-producing region.

Turnout was 76 percent an hour before voting closed, the Kurdish Rudaw TV station said, later adding that vote counting had started. Final results are expected within 72 hours.

About 5.2 million voters were asked to say yes or no to the question: “do you want the Kurdistan Region and Kurdistani areas outside the (Kurdistan) Region to become an independent country?”



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-kurds-referendum/turnout-high-as-iraqi-kurds-defy-threats-to-hold-independence-vote-idUSKCN1C027T

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For Iraqi Kurds - part of the largest ethnic group left stateless when the Ottoman empire collapsed a century ago - the referendum offers a historic opportunity despite intense international pressure to call it off.

"Women show their ink-stained fingers during Kurds independence referendum in Sulaimaniyah, Iraq September 25, 2017. REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani"

http://s2.reutersmedia.net/resources/r/?m=02&d=20170925&t=2&i=1202860578&r=LYNXNPED8O1II&w=1280

[Sunlei]

1. :)

http://radiocms-images.us1.eldarioncloud.com/resize/800x800/

[nycbos]

2. I absolutely think the Kurds deserve their own state.

1. The central government in Bagdad has been very unreliable when it comes to fighting terrorism. The Iraqi army allowed ISIS to gain a ton of territory with little to no opposition.

2. The Kurds have been by far the most effective fighters against ISIS including many Kurdish women.

3. Turkey has become a very unreliable partner. They are now closing the border. They were fine with ISIS smuggling oil and getting fighters but now the Turkish government just wants to stick it to the Kurds.

4. The Kurds are the most pro-Western group in the region. They are much more likely to share are values in the future. By values I mean a multi-party democracy and rights for women.

5. Iraq itself is an artificial state created by the British and French after WWI.

[IronLionZion]

3. Tell Turkey to go F themselves

and build a new air base in Kurdistan when they throw us out of Incirlik