Kirkuk votes to take part in Kurdish independence poll

Councillors in the Iraqi province of Kirkuk have voted to take part in next month's Kurdish independence referendum, in a session, however, that was boycotted by Turkmen and Arab members.


The central government in Baghdad is strongly opposed to Iraqi Kurdistan's planned September 25 referendum, which is non-binding but could lead to independence.

Kirkuk, an ethically-mixed oil-rich province is not part of the Kurdistan region, but has a large Kurdish population.

• In Tuesday's vote, 22 of the 24 present councillors in the 41-member Kirkuk council voted in favour of holding the referendum, said councillor Hala Nur Eddine.

Kirkuk's provincial council consists of 26 Kurds, nine Turkmen and six Arabs.
 [aljazeera.com]
29/8/17