Iraqi Kurdish vote not a casus belli: Turkish PM Yıldırım

The planned independence referendum in the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) of northern Iraq is not a reason to start a war, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım has said, after Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli claimed that the vote could be a "casus belli."

"Between who does war break out? Wars occur between states. We don't accept them as a state," Yıldırım told reporters on his jet returning from Vietnam to Ankara on Aug. 25.

"If a state challenges us and acts against our sovereign rights, then it's a cause of war for us. However, there is a regional government that is a part of Iraq. This cannot constitute a casus belli," he added, referring to the KRG referendum due to be held on Sept. 25.

MHP head Bahçeli had suggested that the vote should be deemed a "cause of war" for Ankara if necessary.

"We must disapprove of [KRG President Masoud] Barzani's referendum preparations, including in Turkmen towns. It should be known that this potential referendum is a rehearsal for Kurdistan. This referendum is completely against Turkmens and Turkey. It should be deemed a cause of war for Turkey if necessary," he said at a press briefing on Aug. 24. 

When asked about Bahçeli's remarks, Yıldırım said Turkey's stance on the issue had been "plain and clear from the very start." 

"We've always said this [referendum] would be a wrong step. We say the same thing today. There are enough problems in the region already. The referendum would only create new problems without solving current issues. That's why this decision must be canceled," he added. 

Noting that Baghdad, Iran, Turkey and the United States are all against the referendum, the prime minister said "the insistence of the Iraqi Kurdish...