BREAKING: Iraqi Kurds (KRG) Surrender to Baghdad

October 25th, 2017 - Fort Russ News -
- Joaquin Flores -

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has frozen the results of its independence referendum outcome.

The KRG conducted an unconstitutional referendum on 25 September with the majority of voters overwhelmingly in favour of independence.

Last week Federal Iraqi forces began moving into the disputed regions, areas controlled by the Kurdish Peshmerga militia, but constitutionally a part of Iraq.

This has resulted in clashes between Iraqi forces and the Peshmerga, but the KRG have just now declared a ceasefire and asked for an open dialogue with Baghdad on the basis of the Constitution, after initially refusing to. Following the defiant referendum, the KRG became immediately isolated with Iran and Turkey closing all borders to the autonomous region and pledging to place economic sanctions.

The referendum received no international support from the international community, with Israel being the exception.
Translation of the full text of the KRG statement

"The dangerous situation and tension that faces Iraq and Kurdistan forces all of us to live up to the historical responsibility and to not allow the situation to lead to further war and confrontation between the Iraqi forces and the Peshmerga.

The aggression and the confrontation between the Iraqi forces and the Peshmerga since October 16, 2017 has caused damage to both sides. It may also result in continued bloodshed and result in cutting the social relations between the Iraqi components.

It is a fact that a war between the two sides will not have a winner. It will instead lead both sides to great damages in all aspects of life. That is why, from the perspective of our responsibility towards the people of Kurdistan and Iraq, we propose the following to the government of Iraq, the Iraqi public opinion, and to the world:

The immediate cessation of fighting and every kind of military operations in the Kurdistan Region.

Freezing the outcome of the referendum that was held in the Iraqi Kurdistan.

Beginning an open dialogue between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the federal government on the basis of the Iraqi constitution.

Kurdistan Regional Government "