Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region plans to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on Nov. 1, the Erbil-based Rudaw TV said on Tuesday, as the Kurdish leadership cements its case for independence. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), however, has not declared independence and the elections are for the parliament and presidency of the region, not for an independent state. His tenure was extended beyond his second term, in 2013, as fresh turmoil engulfed the region and Islamic State overran, in 2014, about a third of Iraq, threatening the Kurdish region. Campaigning for the two elections will start on Oct. 15, Rudaw TV cited the High Elections and Referendum Commission chief Hendrean Mohammed. The US administration, which had strengthened its alliance with Iraq’s Kurds during the war on Islamic State, is taking the side of Baghdad in the crisis, in refusing to recognize the outcome of the referendum.

Source: Egypt Independent October 03, 2017 12:45 UTC