Northern Iraq’s independence referendum: ‘a historic and dangerous mistake’

A campaign was launched against the decision by the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq to hold an independence referendum. The spokesman of the “No for Now” movement said the referendum would not benefit the people of the region.

“This referendum is not a step towards independence and a democratic, republic and justice state,” Rabun Maruf said on Tuesday during a press conference.

“It is also a historic and dangerous mistake,” he added.

The “No for Now” movement released a statement outlining the pillars of the campaign as well as a list of demands.

“We as the Movement ‘No for Now’ believe this referendum does not serve the fundamental interests of the people of the Kurdistan Region,” the statement said.

The list of demands included “the reversal of the decision to hold the referendum” and called on voters to vote no if “the faction of those backing the ‘Yes’ vote push for the referendum to be held.”

A major part of the international community will not recognize the community, including Iraq’s central government, Turkey, Germany and Russia.