Courtesy of the BBC, this article discusses the results and implications of the referendum which occurred in Kurdistan last week. In this referendum, The results found 92% of voters in favor of seceding from Iraq. For many reasons, this poses serious implications for the Iraqi government, one being that an independent Kurdistan would result in a substantial loss in territory as well as population, as Kurds, "make up an estimated 15-20% of the population". In response to these results, the government has decided to suspend international flights to the Kurdistan region, possibly to reduce the likelihood of outside help. Furthermore other actions are being deliberated such as the Iraqi parliament requesting troops to be sent to the oil-rich region of Kirkuk in Iraqi Kurdistan as well as cutting off access to a key pipeline. The results of any action in this region potentially could further destabilize the region. Potentially, a conflict here could derail any further attempts at culling ISIS' presence in northern Iraq, as many Kurdish forces are currently engaging them now, another conflict could enlarge their presence.
Aric Laatz
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-41440747
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