Turkish PM says Ankara 'will not refrain from using its natural rights' over Iraqi Kurdish vote 

Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said on Sept. 22 that Ankara "will not refrain from using its natural rights" regarding the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government's (KRG) independence referendum slated for Sept. 25.

"This referendum is an issue of Turkey's national security. Turkey is determined to use its natural rights originating from international and bilateral conventions and will not hesitate in this," Yıldırım told reporters in Ankara.

He once again reiterated Ankara's call to KRG President Barzani to cancel the referendum, stating that it will not bring any benefit to the Kurdish people in the region.   

Yıldırım also described the inclusion of Kirkuk in the vote as a "calamity."