Earlier today, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi signed the decree to remove Kirkuk Governor Necmedîn Kerim from office. The Iraqi Parliament has authorized Abadi to prevent the referendum, and after signing, Abadi sent the decree to the parliament to be approved. Iraqi Parliamentary President Selim Cuburi’s Office issued a statement and said the decree signed by Abadi has reached them.

A voting made after the decree reached the parliament resulted in official removal of Kerim from office by a majority of 173 votes.  

Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Spokesperson adî Ehmed Pîrê made the following evaluation to the PUK media: “Iraqi government wants to give a political punishment to the Kurdistan Region. The removal of Kirkuk Governor from office can have no reasonable explanation. We will refuse and oppose this action which cannot be the way to solution to the problems between Baghdad and Hewler. It is not right to try to sacrifice Necmedîn Kerim because of the referendum.”

Pîrê remarked that it was unacceptable to face with such decisions on disputed territories, noting that this was the second unlawful decision made by the Iraqi parliament over the past week, after voting against the referendum planned for September 25 in Southern Kurdistan by a majority two days ago.