KURDS – A NATION DIVIDED INTO FOUR

Abstract

On 25th September 2017, a referendum on independence of the Kurdistan Region was held in the Kurdistan Region and in the so-called disputed areas, which, according to the Iraqi Constitution, is an autonomous region within the Federation. The referendum was held despite the opposition of the Baghdad authorities and the lack of support from the United States and the Russian Federation. The actions of the Kurdistan Regional Government have been recognized by the Iraqi government as illegal and without legal basis. The governments of the remaining states in which Kurds are located are also strongly opposed to the separatist actions and have taken actions aimed at forcing Kurdistan to refrain from further attempts to introduce the results of the referendum. In addition to the closure of the Kurdistan region's land borders, Iran and Turkey have blocked airspace and threatened to use armed force. The United States and Russia, which both opposed the referendum, have called for dialogue and a peaceful resolution of the dispute. Abandoned, confused and deprived of support, the Kurds were forced to leave Kirkuk under pressure from Iraqi federal forces backed by pro-Shiite militias.