UK would support independence referendum in Kurdistan Region

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Representative to the UK stated on Tuesday that Britain would support an independence referendum in the Kurdistan Region.

Karwan Jamal Tahir, the KRG’s representative in the UK, told Kurdistan24 the UK would support a referendum and independence in the Region.

“The British government has officially informed the KRG Representation that they will support the process of holding [a] referendum in the Kurdistan Region,” Tahir revealed.

“They have informed us that if the decision to declare independence from Iraq were made unilaterally by Kurds, Britain would not support it, but if there were an understanding on this matter with all other Iraqi parties, Britain would support it,” he told Kurdistan24.

Russia’s Deputy Consul-General in Kurdistan previously explained Moscow’s stance on Kurdish independence.

“Moscow will support the decision made by the people of Kurdistan because it is a decision through a referendum,” he said. “How can you not listen to what people’s choice is?”

In June 2016, Masoud Barzani, the President of the Kurdistan Region, released a statement about the independence referendum.

President Barzani called “all political parties in the Kurdistan Region to take necessary measures as soon as possible to create a national consensus on referendum and independence.”

The President added the first step would be to hold “frank and brotherly talks with Baghdad.”

Additionally, the KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani spoke to VOA Persian in July regarding Kurdistan’s independence.

“The independence of Kurdistan is the right of our people. Choosing our destiny is a legitimate right and will remain a goal for us and all the Kurdish people,” he stated.

The PM also said that Baghdad would remain the KRG’s strategic partner whether Kurds vote for independence or confederation.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany