During an independence referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan, almost 92% voted for separating from Iraq. 3,500,000 people participated in the plebiscite. We have refreshed data from the Kurdish media. They ignore these numbers in Baghdad. They refuse to accept the result of the referendum. Under any circumstances. Moreover, Iraqi troops joined the military training in Turkey. Anna Voronina will tell us what is the point of these manoeuvres.
Turkey's red flag is right next to the Iraqi tri-colored banner. But, this is not some briefing for the authorities. They are in the hands of the soldiers, who are about to perform ruck march to the border. This is a joint military training, which seems planned at first, but it's no accident it was scheduled for the beginning of this week. The reason is the independence referendum in the so-called Iraqi Kurdistan. This is irritating for both Ankara and Baghdad.
"The decision on this referendum was made without any consultations, so it's considered treacherous. So, we choose the path of sanctions, which will bring them true sorrow. Their oil factories are about to crash and burn. They will starve to death, when our food trucks stop delivering to North Iraq. It hasn't gotten to starvation yet, but Turkey already demonstrates its power", — Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
Tanks, multiple launch rocket systems, and nuclear rocket launchers. All just a few km away from where Kurds voted to separate from Iraq. Iraqi armed forces joined in a little later. For now, just a small group, operative term being "for now."
"We're not getting into a dialogue about this unconstitutional, illegal, and incorrect referendum. It appears to be such according to the international opinions and the opinions of Iraqi authorities. We've already taken measures, and we'll take more", — Haider al-Abadi said.
The phrases are rather vague, unlike government borders, which are considered unchangeable in Baghdad. Kurdistan is already being threatened with full air embargo, if they don't surrender their airports to the Iraqi authorities within 3 days. Parliament even hints at the possibility of deploying troops.
For now, it's just manoeuvres, which take place here, close to a small Turkish town of Silopi. Close by is a checkpoint of Habur, one of the most essential windows into the world for the Kurdish region. Inspections here are extra harsh. They say they'll close it if they have to, like Iran did. And it's not just one checkpoint, but the entire border section.
Bahram Qasemi, Iranian foreign ministry: "We'll wait till we see where this illegitimate referendum leads. After that, we'll take certain steps. The voting was at the most inappropriate time, when Iraqi authorities had great success fighting ISIS terrorists. Due to demands from the Iraqi government, we've already blocked the borders".
Meanwhile, Tehran has already started their military training, with special forces, aviation, and artillery. Basically, only Kurds from other countries approved the actions of the Iraqi Kurds. In the EU, the UN, and even in Washington, where ethnic groups are traditionally supported, referendum was definitely judged. In Kremlin, they emphasized they stand for the unity of countries in the Middle East. Obviously, they also understood it in Arbil.
Politologists assume this was purely to check the reaction. Depending on how it goes, they'll either make a deal with the neighbors, or continue betting on separatism, which includes possible aggression. Anna Voronina, Shamil Kirashev, Vesti.
