Iraqi PM: We will not recognize the independence referendum

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi said: “The referendum in the Kurdistan Region is not legal, and we won’t recognize it.”

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi commented on the Federal Kurdistan Region administration’s plans on holding an independence referendum in the weekly press conference he held in Baghdad.

Haider Al-Abadi said: “We respect the desires of the Kurdish people and the people of Iraq, but the Constitution does not give authority to hold a unilateral referendum and secede. The referendum in the Kurdistan region is not legal, and we will not recognize it.”

Abadi claimed the Federal Kurdistan Region administration is going through a serious crisis and said: “I am warning them against proceeding in this path. The danger that will come out of [a referendum] will affect us all. We are calling for dialogue for everybody. I am certain the people of Kurdistan are not in a rush for this referendum.”

The Southern Kurdistan administration did not make any comments on Abadi’s stance.