Iraq’s KRG says respects court ruling banning secession

By Sarhad Shakir

BAGHDAD

Iraq’s Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) said Tuesday it would respect a court ruling prohibiting the Kurdish region from secession.

Last week, Iraq’s Supreme Federal Court ruled that the country’s constitution does not allow for the secession of any part of the country from the Iraqi state.

“We believe that this decision must become a basis for starting an inclusive national dialogue between Erbil and Baghdad to resolve all disputes,” the KRG said in a statement.

The Federal Court rulings are final and cannot be contested by higher judicial authorities.

In September, the KRG held a controversial referendum on Kurdish regional secession, a vote decried by Baghdad as illegitimate.

The vote was criticized at the time by most regional and international actors, with many warning that it would distract from Iraq’s ongoing fight against terrorism and further destabilize the region.

In the weeks following the poll, Iraqi government forces moved into several parts of the country “disputed” between Baghdad and the Erbil-based KRG, including the oil-rich Kirkuk province.