Iraqi Kurdistan independence referendum

Turkey will not "embark on an adventure" but it will respond if its interests are harmed amid the Sept. 25 Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) independence referendum, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım has said.

The government is planning to put measures set out in the National Security Council (MGK) meeting on Sept. 22 into practice if the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) goes ahead with the independence referendum on Sept. 25. 

Priority in these measures will be placed on economic steps as well as intense diplomatic pressure on the Masoud Barzani administration. 

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has urged the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) to be cool-headed when taking measures against the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) over a planned referendum on independence, after the Turkish parliament voted to extend by a year a mandate authorizing the deployment of Turkish troops on foreign soil. 

Turkey considers the independence referendum planned by the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) for Sept. 25 as "illegitimate and null and void," Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said on Sept. 24. 

Iraqi Kurds abroad began casting their ballots Saturday in a referendum on independence of the autonomous region of Kurdistan amid international opposition.

Kurdish expatriates in China were the first to vote, Karwan Jalal, an electoral official, told?Kurdish news portal Rudaw.

Turkey's National Security Council Meeting (MGK) which convened under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan ended late on Sept. 22, stressing that the Iraqi Kurdish independence referendum slated for Sept. 25 was illegitimate and unacceptable.

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.

Turkey, Iran and Iraq have agreed to consider taking "coordinated counter-measures" against the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government's (KRG) bid to hold independence referendum at a trilateral foreign ministers' meeting in New York, days before the Sept. 25 vote in northern Iraq. 

Iraqi Vice President Nouri al-Maliki has rejected an initiative sponsored by the United Nations regarding a planned independence referendum in northern Iraq, saying that it contains several elements that are against the country's constitution. 

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan late on Sept. 19 warned of sanctions against the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) if it proceeds with its planned referendum for independence next week, Hurriyet reported.