Iraqi Kurdistan independence referendum

Turkey has demanded Google to remove a map of "Kurdistan," which includes its own territory, a minister said Dec. 24.

Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani on July 2 called President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to congratulate him and his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) for the election victory. 

Baghdad and Arbil have requested Turkey’s mediation after tensions between the central government and the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) soared over the latter’s September 2017 independence referendum, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has said.

Iran re-opened two crossings with the Iraqi Kurdistan region on Tuesday that it had closed after a referendum in favor of independence in the Kurdish area, Reuters reported.

Iraq's Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) said on Nov. 14 it would respect a decision by the country's federal court banning the region's secession.

Rex Tillerson called for a solution to the conflict between Baghdad and Iraqi Kurdistan through dialogue on his unexpected visit to Iraq, BNT reports.

Turkey will gradually close border crossings with northern Iraq in coordination with the central Iraqi government and Iran in response to the Iraqi Kurdistan independence referendum, Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Khaln told Reuters.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim is expected to visit Baghdad on Sunday to meet with Iraqi counterpart Hayder al Abadi, informs 24chasa.

A Supreme Political Council was set up in Iraqi Kurdistan to address issues related to the recent independence referendum that angered the central government in Baghdad and neighboring countries. This was announced by DPA and TASS, referring to Kurdish Rudav Portal and Sky News - Arabia.

Turkey has issued a new travel warning to Turkish nationals after Turkey's consulate in Arbil announced that Turkish airline companies will halt flying to northern Iraq after 6:00 p.m. on Friday Sept. 29 until further notice at the request of Baghdad, following a referendum for independence held by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). 

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım spoke on the phone with his Iraqi counterpart Haider al-Abadi to discuss the Sept. 25 independence referendum in the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), a Prime Ministry source said on Sept. 27.