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I Cong ressin, l
Resea rch Sevice
Kurds in Iraq Hold Controversial Referendum
on Independence
Updated October 3, 2017
The question of self-determination for the Kurds of Iraq and neighboring Syria, Turkey, and Iran has
remained unresolved since the delineation of national borders in the Middle East in the wake of World
War I. U.S. intervention in Iraq since the 1990s has contributed to the emergence and protection of
autonomous political institutions in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) and the development of the
region's economy and security forces. Today, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is recognized in
Iraq's constitution and exercises devolved and shared powers. Kurds and other Iraqis differ among and
between themselves over the desirability and feasibility of Kurdish independence, and some of Iraq's
neighbors warily monitor related developments in light of the evolving aspirations of their own Kurdish
citizens.
On June 7, 2017, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Masoud Barzani announced that the
KRG would hold an official advisory referendum on independence from Iraq on September 25. Iraqi
Prime Minister Haider al Abadi called the proposed referendum unconstitutional and requested that it be
delayed or cancelled in favor of resolving KRG-Baghdad differences through dialogue. KRG President
Barzani and other leading Kurds described the proposed referendum as an inherent right of the Kurdish
people in pursuit of self-determination. They argue that dysfunction, extremism, and violence in Iraq
threaten Kurdish interests and that arrangements for resolving differences under Iraq's 2005 constitution
have not been respected, particularly with regard to disputed territories, energy, and fiscal matters.
The United States government, other international observers, and some of Iraq's neighbors also requested
that Kurdish leaders delay or cancel the planned vote. Nevertheless, Kurdish leaders held the referendum
on time and as planned. Participants were asked-Do you want the Kurdistan region and the Kurdistani
areas [disputed areas] outside the administration of Kurdistan region to become an independent state?
According to Kurdish authorities, more than 72% of eligible voters participated and, of those votes
deemed valid, roughly 92 percent were Yes votes and about 7 percent were No votes. Approximately
6 percent of votes cast were deemed invalid. Some observers suggested that those who chose not to
participate, including some ethnic Arab and Turkmen, may have boycotted in opposition.
The vote took place across the KRI and in other areas currently under the control of Kurdish forces,
including some areas subject to territorial disputes between the KRG and the national government such as
the multiethnic city of Kirkuk, adjacent oil-rich areas, and parts of Ninewa governorate populated by
religious and ethnic minorities (Figure 1). Kurdish forces have secured many of these areas since the
Islamic State's rapid advance across northern Iraq in 2014. KRG leaders have said they intend to pursue
separation negotiations with Baghdad, raising the potential stakes of territorial disputes and contributing
to increased concern among Iraqi critics of the referendum.
CRS INSIGHT
Prepared for Membes and
Corm nittees o4 Congress ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.crs/govciur0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)