Kurds may create several independent states - Governor

Kurds may create several independent states like the Arabs did when they established the Arab League, the governor of the northern Iraqi province of Kirkuk said
Thursday, 10 August 2017 18:52

Kurds may create several independent states like the Arabs did when they established the Arab League, which comprises over 20 states, the governor of the northern Iraqi province of Kirkuk, Najmaldin Karim, told Sputnik.

On June 7, President of Iraqi Kurdistan Masoud Barzani announced his intention to hold a referendum on the independence of the autonomous region from Iraq on September 25, a decision which has been criticized by Baghdad. Following the announcement, authorities of the Kurdish-controlled Kirkuk province decided to take part in the referendum.

"Each part of Kurdistan has its own features. Kurds in Turkey, Iran, Syria determine themselves what they want. There are 22 Arab countries and we may have more than one Kurdish state," Karim said.

He pointed out that the province of Kirkuk is an inherent part of Iraqi Kurdistan and has a right to participate in the referendum on the region’s independence.

Kurds are Syria’s, Iraq’s and Turkish largest ethnic minority. A portion of the Kurdish population also lives in Iran.