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93.2 percent said ‘yes’ for independent Kurdistan

Iraqi Kurds wave the Kurdish flag as they celebrate in the streets of the northern city of Arbil on September 25, 2017 following a referendum on independence. Iraq's Kurds defied widespread opposition to vote in a historic independence referendum, sparking fresh tensions with Baghdad, threats from Turkey and fears of unrest. / AFP PHOTO / Safin HAMED

The results of a referendum in northern Iraq for independence show that 93.29 percent of 282,017 people voted in favor of separation from Baghdad and the formation of an independent Kurdistan state.

According to the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Rudaw TV, the results show that 93.29 percent of people living in northern Iraq said “yes” while 6.71 percent said “no.”

Despite warnings from the Baghdad administration and abroad, including from Ankara and Washington, the KRG held a referendum on Monday for a separate Kurdistan state in northern Iraq.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the Turkish armed forces could suddenly launch an operation one night in the region.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry on Monday issued a press release describing the independence referendum as “null” and “void” and said that Turkey does not recognize the referendum, which lacks international legitimacy.

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