Iraq: Kurdistan holds independence referendum Sep. 25

Event

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is holding a referendum on independence from Iraq on Monday, September 25. The vote has polarized many not only within Iraqi, but also within the Kurdistan Region itself. Heightened tensions should be expected in the region both during and following the referendum, including Kirkuk province.

On Sunday, Iranian authorities announced the closure of Iranian airspace to all flights originating in Kurdistan - e.g. from Erbil (EBL) and Sulaimaniyah (ISU) international airports - in addition to all flights from Iran to Kurdistan.

Turkey, who on Sunday reiterated that it did not recognize the referendum, has according reportedly closed its land borders with the region on September 25. However, this has been denied by Turkish officials.

Context

The autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan officially includes three provinces (Erbil, Dahuk, and Sulaymaniyah) protected by a security force (Peshmerga) independent from the Iraqi government. The people of Iraqi Kurdistan largely support the idea of independence but the referendum faces major challenges from within the Kurdish, Iraqi, Iranian, and Turkish governments; the Iraqi parliament voted on September 12 to reject the vote. Kurdish lawmakers in Baghdad walked out of the parliamentary session before the vote and issued statements opposing it afterward. The US has also vocalized its disapproval of the referendum.

Advice

Individuals in Iraq are advised to monitor the situation, avoid any public gatherings as a precaution, and remain alert. Those intending to travel to or from Kurdistan should reconfirm their itineraries given possible disruption of travel due to closure of Iranian airspace.

The security environment in Iraq remains complex. Although travel is permissible in some areas, other areas should be considered strictly off limits. Professional security advice and support should be sought prior to all travel. While Iraqi Kurdistan is relatively far from the frontlines of the campaign against the Islamic State and has generally been more secure than the rest of the country, the risk of intra-Kurdish clashes suggests additional caution should be adopted for the foreseeable future.