Kirkuk City Council took a referendum decision on the future of the city. While the decision is conveyed to the Iraqi government, according to the result of the referendum, Kirkuk will either stay with Iraq or be linked to the Kurdistan Region.

Rebwar Talabani, Provincial Parliamentary Deputy Speaker made a statement after the meeting, stated that many successful achievements have been made by ‘Fraternity Block’ since 2008, “Today, the vote of the Constitution within the scope of the 140th article referendum in Kirkuk decision confirmed.”

Talabani said that Iraqi Prime Minister Haydar Abadi, who is authorized according to the Iraqi Parliament and the 140th article, demanded no further postponement of the matter, said:

“Since the time of Ibrahim Jafari and Nuri Maliki, implementation of the 140th item on the agenda of the governments has been delayed sufficiently. The people of Kirkuk did not have the time to linger. Because of this, the members of the provincial council decided to make the referendum in Kirkuk by the Federal Government by acting courageously.”

Talabani also said that they refuse Iraqi Parliament to oppose the decision to take down Kurdistan flag in public institutions in Kirkuk.

Turkmen and Arabs boycotted the meeting held by the Kirkuk Provincial Assembly to discuss the issue of organizing a referendum to join IKBY and the decision of only hanging Iraqi flag in public buildings in Kirkuk, which the Iraqi parliament adopted on the weekend. (ILKHA)