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Kurdish independence in Iraq likely 'not if but when': U.S. general
Source: Reuters
WORLD NEWS | Tue May 23, 2017 | 4:42pm EDT
Kurdish independence in Iraq likely 'not if but when': U.S. general
By Phil Stewart | WASHINGTON
An Iraqi Kurdish push for independence from Baghdad appears likely to be a question of "not if but when," in a significant challenge to Iraq's stability, the head of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency said on Tuesday.
Iraq's main Kurdish parties announced in April a plan to hold a referendum on independence this year, after the defeat of Islamic State militants.
The DIA's director, Lieutenant General Vincent Stewart, told a Senate hearing that the ability of Iraq's Kurds to reach an understanding with the Shi'ite-dominated government in Baghdad would be essential to avoid renewed conflict.
"Kurdish independence is on a trajectory where it is probably not if but when. And it will complicate the situation unless there's an agreement in Baghdad," said Stewart, whose role is to provide intelligence assessments and not to craft U.S. policy.
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Kurdish independence in Iraq likely 'not if but when': U.S. general
By Phil Stewart | WASHINGTON
An Iraqi Kurdish push for independence from Baghdad appears likely to be a question of "not if but when," in a significant challenge to Iraq's stability, the head of the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency said on Tuesday.
Iraq's main Kurdish parties announced in April a plan to hold a referendum on independence this year, after the defeat of Islamic State militants.
The DIA's director, Lieutenant General Vincent Stewart, told a Senate hearing that the ability of Iraq's Kurds to reach an understanding with the Shi'ite-dominated government in Baghdad would be essential to avoid renewed conflict.
"Kurdish independence is on a trajectory where it is probably not if but when. And it will complicate the situation unless there's an agreement in Baghdad," said Stewart, whose role is to provide intelligence assessments and not to craft U.S. policy.
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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-iraq-kurds-idUSKBN18J2WT?il=0