Iraqi military chief to meet Turkish counterpart

By Kemal Karadag

ANKARA

Iraqi military chief arrived in Ankara on Saturday to meet Turkish Gen. Hulusi Akar, a military official said.

Iraqi Army Chief of Staff Gen. Othman al-Ghanimi and Turkish Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar will hold their meeting at General Staff headquarters in Ankara.

The two officials will discuss the planned referendum in Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) on Monday, Iraq's territorial integrity as well as fight against terrorism during their meeting.

The non-binding referendum will see Iraqis in KRG-controlled areas -- and in a handful of territories disputed between Erbil and Baghdad -- vote whether to declare full independence from Iraq.

Along with Baghdad, Turkey, the U.S., Iran and the UN have all spoken out against the poll, saying it will only distract from the ongoing fight against Daesh and further destabilize the region.

Iraq’s central government has threatened to intervene militarily if the vote leads to violence.

KRG’s leader, Masoud Barzani, has said a “Yes” vote would not result in an automatic declaration of independence but would simply lead to further negotiations with Baghdad.