Kurdistan Region ready for a referendum?

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (K24) – Last year, the President of Kurdistan Region, Masoud Barzani, proposed to the Kurdistan Regional Parliament to lay the groundwork for the Kurdistan independence referendum. This process temporarily faded after the Islamic State (IS) attacked Kurdistan in mid-2014.

Despite the initial gains of the militants, Peshmerga forces backed by the U.S.-led anti-IS coalition repelled their offensives successfully. By late 2015, Peshmerga were able to retake most of disputed areas of Kurdistan from IS' control.

Peshmerga control over Kurdistan’s territories has now provided the opportunity to Kurdish political parties to focus on the referendum.

Ali Hussein, a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Leadership Council told K24, "In the KDP's last meeting [late December], we emphasized the [independence] referendum. And it will certainly happen.” He mentioned the process requires peaceful dialogue with neighboring countries, especially Iraq. He also stressed the importance of unity among Kurdish political parties. 

Karwan Hashim, an official from the Gorran party, believes political unity among Kurdish parties precedes the need for the referendum. On the other hand, Rizgar Ali, a member of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Politburo stated, “You must prepare the foundations of an independent state [before the referendum].” He elaborated that the unity of people, land, economic system, and a powerful military were crucial toward implementing an independent state.