Voting has opened on Monday in a controversial independence referendum in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq, reports RT.
Neighbouring countries Iraq, Iran, Syria and Turkey have strongly objected to the referendum organised by the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG). Baghdad said it will take all “necessary measures to preserve the unity of the country.”
Voting got underway at 8am local time and it’s scheduled to close at 6pm. The final results should be known within 72 hours. The referendum, which is non-binding, is expected to deliver comprehensive backing for independence.