Reactions to Iraqi Kurdistan referendum
The recent secession referendum in Iraq’s Kurdistan region has antagonized the central government in Baghdad as well as neighboring countries like Turkey and Iran. The vote, which was backed by Israel, has triggered a set of punitive measures by the neighboring countries against Kurdistan and raised regional tensions. International media have given a special focus to the developments.
Iraqi News writes that Kurds do have autonomy based on the 2005 constitution but the northern region is part of the Iraqi territory.
Turkey’s Daily Sabah has focused on the illegality of the referendum because it says article one of Iraq’s federal constitution stresses the unity of Iraq. It says the president of the Kurdistan region organized the vote to portray himself as a hero for Kurds.
Kurdistan’s Rudaw has published a commentary in which it argues that Baghdad’s response to the recent referendum is too harsh. It says Baghdad is using the constitution selectively to discredit the vote.
Iran Daily has described the vote as part of attempts by the Israeli regime and the United States to sow division among the nations in the Middle East region.
The Jerusalem Post has focused on the reactions to the vote arguing that the West has failed to show proper support for the Kurdistan region. It says Kurds expect Western countries to put their weight behind them and force the government in Iraq and neighboring countries like Turkey to stop their sanctions.
The New York Times believes the secession vote was dangerous and unwise because it raised regional tensions. However it says the referendum was very understandable because the Kurds have dreamed of independence for such a long time.
The Guardian has described Iraq’s Kurdistan region as a staunch ally of the West. It says the West must now repay its debt by giving the Kurds full support in the face of pressure by Baghdad and regional governments.
The Washington Post writes that the United States needs to help de-escalate the situation. The daily notes that America owes it to Kurds to help broker a dialogue between the Kurdish leadership and Baghdad.
Newsweek warns that encouraging the Kurdistan region to become independent is not morally right. Because it argues that the Iraqi region will suffer a lot due to strong opposition from Baghdad and neighboring countries and will eventually fail to secede from Iraq.
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