War-Weary Iraqi Kurds Seek Independence 'As a Result of the Peace Process'

The issue of creating an independent Iraqi Kurdistan will be actively discussed after the end of the Mosul operation, Ali Avni of the Kurdistan Democratic Party told Sputnik Turkey.


In an interview with Sputnik Turkey, Ali Avni of the Kurdistan Democratic Party said that the independence of Iraqi Kurdistan will be actively discussed by its leaders and Baghdad after the wrap-up of the Mosul operation.

On Thursday, the US Department of Defense said that Iraqi forces were in control of 70 to 80 percent of eastern Mosul. In October 2016, Iraqi forces, backed by a US-led international coalition, began an operation to liberate Iraq's second-largest city from Daesh (ISIL/ISIS) terrorists.

In July 2014, President of Iraqi Kurdistan Masoud Barzani announced his intention to hold a referendum on independence in the coming months......................http://sptnkne.ws/dpC2
 [sputniknews.com]
14/1/17
-
Related:

• Kurds deny forcing Arabs from Iraq's Kirkuk
• Peshmerga Forces to Remain in Areas Freed From Daesh Before Mosul Battle

--

• US opposes independence referendum for Iraqi Kurds. (Iraq is stronger if it is united)
• Kurdish leader orders independence referendum (independent electoral commission that would start organising a referendum)

---

• The time has long been ripe for it: Kurdish PM wants to discuss independence with Baghdad after Mosul

-

• Abadi: Kurdistan "Part of Iraq" and Should Remain So

• Independence of Iraqi Kurdistan would further complicate Sykes-Picot instability - Turkey’s AKP

• Kurds destroyed 'thousands' of Arab homes in Iraq - Amnesty