Dubai: In perhaps the strongest language yet—the president of Iraqi Kurdistan has warned Baghdad that if does not accept a vote for independence in a referendum slated for September 25, the Kurds would draw their own state borders.
Massoud Barzani told the BBC the Kurds still wanted to reach an agreement with the central government but talks would only happen after the vote.
Kurdish delegations last month held extensive meetings in Baghdad, but said that they had not receive any attractive incentives in exchange for puting off the vote.
The Iraqi Kurds have been under massive pressure from Baghdad, as well as Turkey and Iran, to either cancel or postpone the vote altogther.
Even their strongest ally, the US, has tried to get the Kurds to put the vote off—fearing that the ensuing backlash from neighbouring states could complicate the overall war against Daesh terrorists.
Iraq’s prime minister has rejected the referendum as unconstitutional.
Barzani also warned the Kurds would fight any group that tried to change the “reality” in Kirkuk by force.
Kurdish Peshmerga forces have taken control of the oil-rich city, which has large Arab and Turkmen populations, and other areas claimed by Baghdad over the past three years while driving out Daesh.
Kurds are the fourth-largest ethnic group in the Middle East, but they have never obtained a permanent nation state.
In Iraq, where they make up an estimated 15% to 20% of the population of 37 million, Kurds faced decades of brutal repression by Arab-led governments before acquiring de facto autonomy following the 1991 Gulf War.
Three months ago, top officials and political parties in the Kurdistan Regional Government agreed to hold an advisory referendum on independence.
Kurds will be able to vote in three provinces: Dohuk, Arbil and Sulaimaniyah, as well as areas outside the region’s administration: Kirkuk, Makhmour, Khanaqin and Sinjar.
“This is the first step. This is the first time in history that people in Kurdistan will freely decide their future,” Mr Barzani told the BBC.
“After that we will start talks with Baghdad, to reach an agreement over borders, water and oil,” he added, before issuing an apparent warning to the central government: “We will take these steps but if they don’t accept, that will be another matter.”
“When have we ever had stability and security in this region that we should be concerned about losing it? When was Iraq so united that we should be worried about breaking its unity? Those who are saying these, they are just looking for excuses to stop us.”
Barzani likewise dismissed criticism of decision to hold the referendum in Kirkuk.
“We don’t say that Kirkuk only belongs to Kurds,” he said.
“Kirkuk should be a symbol of coexistence for all ethnicities. If the people of Kirkuk vote ‘No’ in this referendum we will respect their vote... but we don’t accept that anyone can prevent us from holding a referendum there.”
He also warned that “if any group wants to change the reality of Kirkuk using force, they should expect that every single Kurd will be ready to fight over it”.
