Politics

Iraqi PM to visit Ankara, discuss sanctions against Kurdistan following referendum

Prime Minister of Iraq Haider al-Abadi is scheduled to visit Ankara on Wednesday to discuss measures taken jointly against the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region in retaliation for holding the Sep. 25 referendum on independence.

Sangar Ali 2017/10/24 06:45

middle east Iraq Kurdistan Turkey

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Prime Minister of Iraq Haider al-Abadi is scheduled to visit Ankara on Wednesday to discuss measures taken jointly against the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region in retaliation for holding the Sep. 25 referendum on independence, Turkish Prime Ministry sources said.

Abadi and Turkish Premier Binali Yildirim are expected to discuss other issues as well, such as regional security, stability, and peace, the sources told Reuters.

Recently, Turkey stated that it would close its airspace on the Kurdistan Region and work to hand over control of its main border crossing with the Kurdish region to the Federal Government of Iraq as part of sanctions leveled against the Region for holding the vote.

Relations between Erbil and Baghdad have considerably deteriorated following the Sep.25 vote.

The central government of Iraq has implemented collective punitive measures against the Kurdistan Region and its people, including an international flight ban to the Region and mobilizing military forces to disputed territories.

Editing by G.H. Renaud