a timeline of the crisis between iraq and its kurds
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today
Arab Today, arab today
Last Updated : GMT 06:49:16
Arab Today, arab today

A timeline of the crisis between Iraq and its Kurds

Arab Today, arab today

Arab Today, arab today A timeline of the crisis between Iraq and its Kurds

A women attends a protest in support of the Iraqi Kurdish leader.
Sulaimaniyah - Arab Today

Iraqi Kurdistan, mired in deadly protests, has been in open crisis with the Baghdad government since voters in the northern autonomous region overwhelmingly backed independence in a September referendum.

Here are the key developments:

- Millions vote -

Despite weeks of threats and warnings, the non-binding plebiscite goes ahead on September 25 with more than 12,000 polling stations opening for 5.3 million registered voters.

It is held in the three provinces of Iraqi Kurdistan -- Arbil, Sulaimaniyah and Dohuk -- as well as in disputed border areas such as the oil-rich province of Kirkuk.

Baghdad says the vote is "illegal" and the United States warns it will increase instability.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on September 26 gives authorities in Kurdistan 72 hours to hand the central government control of airports, warning he will otherwise ban international flights to and from the region.

- A massive 'yes' -

The official results released on September 27 show more than 92 percent of voters back statehood. Turnout is over 72 percent.

Then Kurdish leader Massud Barzani, who initiated the referendum, says there will be no immediate declaration of independence, but calls for negotiations.

Abadi demands that the vote be annulled. "We will never hold talks based on the results of the referendum," he says. "We will impose Iraqi law in the entire region of Kurdistan."

- Flights cut -

Baghdad cuts the Kurdish region's direct air links with the outside world indefinitely on September 29.

The United States says it does not recognise the referendum and its result which "lacks legitimacy".

On September 30 Iran embargoes trade in fuel products with Iraqi Kurdistan.

- Soldiers deployed -

Kurdish peshmerga forces on October 12 block roads from Iraqi Kurdistan to Iraq's second city Mosul in response to an increase in deployments and movements of Iraqi forces near the front line.

Abadi denies an attack is imminent, vowing to "preserve the unity of our country".

But on October 13, the Iraqi army launches an operation to take Kurdish-held positions around the provincial capital of Kirkuk, which has a Kurdish majority and took part in the contested referendum.

On October 15 the Kurds ignore a looming deadline set by Baghdad for their forces to surrender positions they took during the fightback against jihadists.

The following day, Iraqi forces take control of the city of Kirkuk as well as key military sites and an oilfield.

The capture of more key oilfields in the disputed province on October 17 dashes Kurdish hopes of creating a viable independent state. Abadi says the referendum is "a thing of the past".

On October 20 Iraqi forces retake control of the last sector of Kirkuk province.

- Conciliatory signals -

On October 25 Iraqi Kurdish leaders offer to freeze the outcome of the independence vote, but Abadi says he will accept only its reversal.

Barzani tells parliament on October 29 in a letter he is stepping down as president of the autonomous Kurdish region from November 1.

Iraq's supreme court declares the referendum unconstitutional on November 20.

- Protests turn deadly -

On December 18 Kurdish demonstrators attack the headquarters of all five of the region's main political parties, as well as a building of the security services in the province of Sulaimaniyah to protest against corruption and call for the regional government to resign.

On December 19 new protests take place in Iraqi Kurdistan, where demonstrators torch party headquarters.

Five people are killed and nearly 200 injured, according to medical sources, as security forces open fire during clashes.

Source: AFP

arabstoday
arabstoday

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

a timeline of the crisis between iraq and its kurds a timeline of the crisis between iraq and its kurds

 



Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

a timeline of the crisis between iraq and its kurds a timeline of the crisis between iraq and its kurds

 



GMT 05:50 2017 Tuesday ,15 August

20 killed in Takhar funeral attack

GMT 04:51 2017 Thursday ,13 April

Huda Kattan among top 10 beauty influencers

GMT 09:44 2018 Saturday ,06 January

Aoun to deliver speech in Rome this afternoon

GMT 09:14 2017 Saturday ,30 December

London stocks end year on record high

GMT 11:47 2017 Monday ,11 December

France's rightwing shifts after Macron victory

GMT 04:49 2013 Monday ,27 May

Feng Shui living room concepts

GMT 19:45 2017 Wednesday ,18 January

The UAE Releases Global State of the Future Report

GMT 23:40 2017 Wednesday ,18 October

OIC condemns terrorist attack in Jeddah

GMT 16:41 2017 Saturday ,18 February

FBMA International Show Jumping Cup 2017 competition

GMT 17:43 2017 Tuesday ,14 February

Spanish activists taken to court over BDS activism

GMT 21:37 2017 Sunday ,02 July

Religious tourism lottery to be held on Monday

GMT 15:27 2017 Saturday ,24 June

US imposes ban on fresh Brazil beef imports

GMT 06:07 2017 Tuesday ,24 October

Air Force set to create new ISR unit with Global Hawk

GMT 03:49 2017 Thursday ,22 June

Dalai Lama says will visit Trump

GMT 03:52 2017 Sunday ,15 January

Drydocks World and GDRFA sign MoU partnership
Arab Today, arab today
 
 Arab Today Facebook,arab today facebook  Arab Today Twitter,arab today twitter Arab Today Rss,arab today rss  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube  Arab Today Youtube,arab today youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©

arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday arabstoday arabstoday
arabstoday
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
arabstoday, Arabstoday, Arabstoday