Kurdish referendum to breed 'new crises', Erdogan warns

By Canberk Yüksel

NEW YORK (AA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday called on northern Iraq's Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) to suspend its referendum for independence slated for next week, cautioning that it would engender further instability the region.

Baghdad and the regional government need to achieve compromises "on the basis of territorial integrity and the realization of the ideals to build a common future", Erdogan told UN members during his address to the General Assembly.

"Steps such as demands for independence that can cause new crises and conflicts in the region must be avoided," he said.

Residents in provinces controlled by the KRG will vote Sept. 25 on independence from Baghdad.

The oil-rich province of Kirkuk is among the contested areas where the vote is planned.

Last week, Iraqi lawmakers voted against the independence referendum and called on the Baghdad government to negotiate with the Kurdish Regional Government.

The Iraqi government is opposed to the poll, claiming it will affect the war against Daesh, cause instability and violate the Iraqi Constitution.

Turkey, the U.S., Iran and the UN have all backed Baghdad in speaking out against the referendum planned for the Kurdish-controlled areas of northern Iraq, saying the vote would distract from operations against Daesh and lead to greater instability in the region.