U.S. Urges Kurdistan To Delay Independence Referendum

[Swordsmyth]

U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis has asked oil-rich Kurdistan to delay its referendum on independence from Iraq, currently scheduled to take place in September, according to emerging reports.
“Our point right now is to stay focused like a laser beam on the defeat of ISIS and to let nothing distract us,” the secretary told reporters before approaching Erbil for the meet with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Massoud Barzani on Tuesday.
An independent Kurdistan would mean Kirkuk’s oil reserves would be severed from Iraq. According to Rudaw, the two oilfields controlled directly by KRG produce 250,000 barrels of oil per day.
In a phone call with Barzani earlier this month, Secretary of State Rex TIllerson similarly insisted the referendum be held at a later date, instead of September 25^th.
The KRG remains determined to hold the vote as scheduled.
“We intend to proceed with the referendum on Sept. 25 to allow our people to determine their own future,” security official Masrour Barzani said after on Tuesday night, according to The New York Times. “This remains the only solution; forced coexistence in Iraq isn’t working.”
All countries that are part of the U.S.-led coalition to defeat the Islamic State believe the referendum should be postponed due to its possible effects on the fight against the terrorist group, said Brett McGurk, President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the coalition. But the Kurdish Peshmerga army insists that a vote in favor of an independent Kurdistan would not lessen its vigor or resolve in combat.

More at: http://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-Ne...eferendum.html

[goldenequity]

The hegemons are furious.
Despite their intended plans of partition and the plunder of Iraqi resources,
they KNOW this is pre-mature. A VERY bad chess move
because
the OTHER chess pieces are not in place: namely Iran off the 'board'.
It's wonderful to see their 'plans' turn to shiit because of a short, fat, corrupt, ego-driven little opportunist.

[goldenequity]

The hegemons are furious.
Despite their intended plans of partition and the plunder of Iraqi resources,
they KNOW this is pre-mature. A VERY bad chess move
because
the OTHER chess pieces are not in place: namely Iran off the 'board'.
It's wonderful to see their 'plans' turn to shiit because of a short, fat, corrupt, ego-driven little opportunist.

Today
Netanyahu: "I told Putin that in order to prevent a future war in the region the Iranian forces must leave Syria": Haaretz

[Swordsmyth]

Baghdad Asks World To Stop Buying Kurdish Oil

http://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/Baghdad-Asks-World-To-Stop-Buying-Kurdish-Oil.html


Erdogan Threatens To Cut Off Kurdish Oil Exports

http://oilprice.com/Energy/Crude-Oil/Erdogan-Threatens-To-Cut-Off-Kurdish-Oil-Exports.html

[Swordsmyth]

Iran Closes Airspace To Iraqi Kurdistan Ahead Of Historic Independence Vote

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-09-24/iran-closes-airspace-iraqi-kurdistan-ahead-historic-independence-vote


Turkey, Iraq Threaten "Military Intervention" As Iraqi Kurds Hold Independence Referendum

http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-09-25/turkey-iraq-threaten-military-intervention-iraqi-kurds-hold-independence-referendum

[Raginfridus]

Hm, I guess we never should have gotten involved...

Today
Netanyahu: "I told Putin that in order to prevent a future war in the region the Iranian forces must leave Syria": Haaretz

Haha, at least the Iranians are natives with roots in the region, Bibi Bomber.

[goldenequity]

Analysis ahead of referendum




Iran closes its airspace to Iraq’s #Kurdistan region, cancels flights to Suleimaniyah, Erbil #KurdistanReferendum

BREAKING #Turkey closes its airspace to Iraq’s #Kurdistan region.

IRAQ ASKS FOREIGN COUNTRIES TO STOP OIL TRADE WITH KURDISTAN OVER INDEPENDENCE VOTE: AL-ARABIYA.

The Iraqi government asked the Kurdistan Region to hand over “all border gates, including the airports, to the federal authorities.
It also asks neighbouring countries and international countries to deal exclusively with the federal Iraqi government
with regard to the borders and oil,” the statement Abadi read.

Iraq says they're going to arrest everyone who's organizing the Kurdish Referendum
and they're going to control the assets in and out of the region from now on out.
http://www.<b><font color="#FF0000">...tan/2409201710
(kurd hype propaganda)

SURA- @AlSuraEnglish · 31 min.
#BREAKING - Turkish PM confirms that Turkey will only be dealing with Iraqi Central Government regarding oil, borders and air travel

Enrico Ivanov@Russ_Warrior · 6 min.
BREAKING! #Turkish army at Iraqi border and ready to take 'necessary steps' - #Erdogan
#KurdistanReferendum

Rudaw English@RudawEnglish · 51 min
#Live: Turkish President Erdogan says the moment we close Kurdistan’s oil pipelines, its economy will collapse. #KurdistanReferendum

Aldin@aldin_ww · 4 min.
#Iraqi parliament votes to close down all borders of #Kurdistan Region with the outside world following referendum.


Aldin@aldin_ww · 40 sek.
#Iraq PM orders troops to protect all citizens that are in danger or under pressure in #Kurdistan due to referendum.


IRAQ PARLIAMENT ASKS TROOPS BE SENT TO DISPUTED KURD AREAS: AFP

PUTIN, ERDOGAN TO HOLD WORKING MEETING IN ANKARA ON SEPT 28 - KREMLIN

Ali Özkök- @A_Ozkok · 48 min.
"We are now taking joint moves with #Iran and #Russia to establish a de-escalation zone in the area of #Afrin," the Turkish PM said.

Another quite clear message to Kurds.

Conflict News- @Conflicts · 7 min.
BREAKING: At the request of parliament, Iraqi PM Abadi has ordered troops to disputed areas to 'protect citizens.' - @RudawEnglish

Rudaw English-@RudawEnglish · 4 min.
Hashd al-Shaabi forces say they're prepared go to disputed areas after Iraqi PM ordered troop deployment: 'Our next target will be Kirkuk' (PMU)


Al-Masdar News-@TheArabSource · 39 min.
Kurdish #Peshmerga are 'combat ready' for independence referendum
https://www.almasdarnews.com/article...ce-referendum/


Aldin@aldin_ww · 6 min.
#Kirkuk governor declares a curfew will be imposed Monday night after referendum polling stations close.

SURA- @AlSuraEnglish · 24 min.
#BREAKING - 4 ballot papers put in by 1 person in #Kurdish referendum, selfie taken. A large absence of international observers in votes

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DKk3gGWV4AUEsOl.jpg:large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DKk3hlBUIAAEO1V.jpg:large

==========

KURDISTAN VOTES OVERWHELMINGLY IN FAVOR OF INDEPENDENCE FROM #IRAQ

Aldin@aldin_ww 26 min.
White House says #US wants "unified #Iraq to annihilate ISIS and to push back against #Iran"

Hamzeh Hadad- @HamzehKarkhi 2 min.
Curfew on Turkmen & Arabs in Kirkuk but not on Kurds. #Iraq
This won't end well...

[goldenequity]

DAILY SABAH-@DailySabah
Some Kurdish residents in Irbil seen celebrating KRG referendum waving Israeli flags

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DKmcwX7X0AA2vp-.jpg:large
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DKmcwXtXUAE7eDD.jpg:large

[goldenequity]

The Iraq govt. has given Kurdistan 3 days to hand over control of airports to avoid air embargo: Reuters

SURA- @AlSuraEnglish 1 hod.
#BREAKING - #Iraqi PM gives #KRG 72 hours to give airports & border control to central government or airspace & borders will be closed

SURA- @AlSuraEnglish 1 hod.
#BREAKING - #Iraqi PM has banned all international flights to & from the #KRG for 72 hours until KRG decision of airports & borders is made

24 Resistance Axis- @Syria_Hezb_Iran 39 min.
#BREAKING | Hezbollah Brigades (PMU Iraq): Barzani is a traitor w/ his separatist project & we will deal with him just as we treated Daesh.