IRBIL: The Kurdish referendum on independence from Iraq was approved by more than 92 per cent of voters, officials said on Wednesday, as Iraq’s prime minister vowed to keep his country united without resorting to the use of force.

Even with the strong support, the non-binding vote is unlikely to lead to formal independence, but it has escalated long-running tensions with Baghdad, which has moved to block flights in and out of the Kurds’ autonomous region. Iraq and its neighbours, along with virtually the entire international community, are opposed to any redrawing of the map.

Hendrin Mohammed, the head of the Kurdish region’s election commission, announced the official results at a press conference, saying the referendum passed with 92.73 per cent support and turnout of more than 72 per cent.

The vote was held across the autonomous Kurdish region’s three provinces as well as in some disputed territories controlled by Kurdish forces but claimed by Baghdad.

Mohammed said the counting of votes was complete and that the results would be considered final once they are certified by the Kurdish region’s department of justice.

Iraq’s Arab-dominated parliament has given Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi the mandate to deploy troops in the disputed territories, including the oil-rich city of Kirkuk, but al-Abadi said on Wednesday he doesn’t want a “fight between the Iraqi citizens”. At a meeting with lawmakers, he instead vowed to “enforce the rule of the federal authority in the Kurdish region with the power of the constitution”.

Parliament has demanded that Baghdad refrain from taking part in any dialogue with the Kurds until the results of Monday’s vote are cancelled. It also called on the government to bring those behind the vote, including Kurdish regional president Masoud Barzani, to justice. The demands are non-binding.

Al-Abadi has ordered the Kurdish region to hand over control of its airports to federal authorities by Friday, threatening a flight ban if they refuse. Iraq’s Transport Ministry has ordered international airlines to halt service to Irbil, the Kurdish regional capital, and Sulaimaniyah, its second city, beginning Friday evening.

Middle East Airlines, the flagship carrier of Lebanon, and EgyptAir have announced that they will comply, cancelling all flights after Friday. Low-cost airline FlyDubai says its flights to Irbil are in question from Saturday on.

Turkey has warned its citizens that flight service to the Kurdish region will be suspended as of 6pm Friday.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2017