Iraq's Kurds Say 'Yes' to Independence

Iraqi Kurds have voted in favor of the creation of an independent state amid high tensions with the Iraqi government over the issue.
The High Elections and Referendum Commission said on Wednesday that more than 92.73 percent of voters supported the idea of Iraqi Kurdistan's independence from Baghdad.

The voter turnout was 72 percent, with 3.35 million people taking part in the referendum, according to official data. Some 2.8 million people voted for independence, while only 224,000, — or 7.2 percent — voted against it.

The chairman of the election commission stated that the results of the referendum are legitimate and no violations were registered during the vote.

"We carried out our work in all parts of Kurdistan. The process was very successful. Many international observers participated. The referendum was held without violations," the commission's spokesman...