Following fall of Kirkuk, Iraqi PM says Kurdistan Referendum is 'over'

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The independence referendum in the Kurdistan Region is over, and it belongs to the past, said Iraq Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Tuesday.

During his weekly briefing, Abadi reaffirmed that Iraqi Forces and the Shiite Hashd al-Shaabi militia were in full control of the multi-ethnic province of Kirkuk following Monday's assault.

“The referendum is over now, and it has become history,” Abadi said, referring to the Kurdistan Region’s vote for independence on Sep. 25, which saw nearly 93 percent voting in favor of secession from Iraq.

“Now, I call for dialogue to resolve our issues within the framework of the Constitution of Iraq.”

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has refused to disavow the result of the referendum, a pre-condition required by Baghdad to initiate a dialogue with the Region on unresolved matters.

Following the incursion by the Iranian-backed Shiite militia and Iraqi Forces into the multi-ethnic city of Kirkuk, many videos and photos have surfaced on social media networks showing Iraqi units mistreating the Kurdistan national flag and burning Kurdish houses. Some also show Kurds being forced to evacuate the town of Tuz Khurmatu and slinging insults at portraits of Kurdish leaders in Kirkuk.

“Any assault on Kurds is an assault on us… We will not allow this type of aggression,” the Iraqi Premier said.

Kurdish officials revealed that dozens of Kurdish Peshmerga and volunteers have been killed and injured by the Iraqi armed groups in Kirkuk.

Following Abadi’s speech, the President of the Kurdistan Region, Masoud Barzani, released a statement affirming the independence dream will one day be achieved.

“We never wanted to fight, but fighting has always been imposed on us,” President Barzani explained. “We assure the people of the Kurdistan Region that we will do whatever is necessary to defend our achievements and provide security for our people.”

Editing by G.H. Renaud