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Iraqi Kurdistan in historic independence vote Iraqi Kurdistan in historic independence vote
(about 1 hour later)
People are voting in a landmark referendum on independence for the Kurdistan Region of Iraq that the international community has criticised. People are voting in a landmark referendum on independence for the Kurdistan Region of Iraq - a move which has been criticised by foreign powers.
Polls are open in the three northern provinces that make up the region, as well as disputed areas claimed by the Kurds and the government in Baghdad.Polls are open in the three northern provinces that make up the region, as well as disputed areas claimed by the Kurds and the government in Baghdad.
Iraq's prime minister has denounced the referendum as "unconstitutional".Iraq's prime minister has denounced the referendum as "unconstitutional".
Kurdish leaders say an expected "yes" vote will give them a mandate to start negotiations on secession.Kurdish leaders say an expected "yes" vote will give them a mandate to start negotiations on secession.
Kurds are the fourth-largest ethnic group in the Middle East, but they have never obtained a permanent nation state.Kurds are the fourth-largest ethnic group in the Middle East, but they have never obtained a permanent nation state.
In Iraq, where they make up an estimated 15% to 20% of the population of 37 million, Kurds faced decades of repression before acquiring autonomy in 1991.In Iraq, where they make up an estimated 15% to 20% of the population of 37 million, Kurds faced decades of repression before acquiring autonomy in 1991.
Voting in the referendum is open to some 5.2 million Kurds and non-Kurds aged 18 or over who are registered as resident in Kurdish-controlled areas of northern Iraq. Voting in Monday's referendum is open to some 5.2 million Kurds and non-Kurds aged 18 or over who are registered as resident in Kurdish-controlled areas of northern Iraq. Polling stations are expected to close at 18:00 (15:00 GMT).
Polling stations are expected to stay open until 18:00 local time (15:00 GMT). Initial results are expected within 24 hours, with final results announced later this week.
"We have been waiting 100 years for this day," one man queuing to vote at a school in the Kurdistan Region's capital, Irbil, told Reuters news agency."We have been waiting 100 years for this day," one man queuing to vote at a school in the Kurdistan Region's capital, Irbil, told Reuters news agency.
"We want to have a state, with God's help. Today is a celebration for all Kurds. God willing, we will say yes, yes to dear Kurdistan.""We want to have a state, with God's help. Today is a celebration for all Kurds. God willing, we will say yes, yes to dear Kurdistan."
In the disputed city of Kirkuk, which has large Arab and Turkmen populations and saw low-level clashes in the days leading up to the vote, mosque loudspeakers called on residents to vote, AFP news agency reported. 'History in the making'
On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi warned that the referendum "threatens Iraq, peaceful co-existence among Iraqis, and is a danger to the region".
"We will take measures to safeguard the nation's unity and protect all Iraqis."
'Sense of history in the making'
By Orla Guerin, BBC News, IrbilBy Orla Guerin, BBC News, Irbil
At polling stations here there is a sense of history in the making. Some began queuing last night. The Kurds say the referendum is an example of democracy in action. Instead of opposing them, they believe that Western powers should be giving them strong support.At polling stations here there is a sense of history in the making. Some began queuing last night. The Kurds say the referendum is an example of democracy in action. Instead of opposing them, they believe that Western powers should be giving them strong support.
A man in his 60s, in traditional dress, told us people had been counting the months, days and minutes until they could cast their ballots. "It is the proudest moment of my life," he said.A man in his 60s, in traditional dress, told us people had been counting the months, days and minutes until they could cast their ballots. "It is the proudest moment of my life," he said.
Some came to vote carrying pictures of loved ones who were killed battling so-called Islamic state. "My husband's blood wasn't shed for nothing" said one woman, adding that her family had not slept for days, worrying that the referendum would be cancelled. Some came to vote carrying pictures of loved ones who were killed battling so-called Islamic State (IS).
"My husband's blood wasn't shed for nothing" said one woman, adding that her family had not slept for days, worrying that the referendum would be cancelled.
Whatever comes next this vote could reshape the Middle East. That's just what neighbouring states - with their own Kurdish minorities - are afraid of.Whatever comes next this vote could reshape the Middle East. That's just what neighbouring states - with their own Kurdish minorities - are afraid of.
Not all Kurds are expected to vote "yes", though.
The Change Movement (Gorran) and Kurdistan Islamic Group parties raised objections to the timing and organisation of the referendum, while businessman Shaswar Abdulwahid Qadir launched a "No4Now" campaign because of the economic and political risks of secession.
And in the disputed city of Kirkuk, the local ethnic Arab and Turkmen communities have called for a boycott.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi warned on Sunday that the referendum "threatens Iraq, peaceful co-existence among Iraqis, and is a danger to the region".
"We will take measures to safeguard the nation's unity and protect all Iraqis."
The central government has demanded that all international airports and border crossings be returned to its control, and asked all countries to "deal only with it on matters of oil and borders".The central government has demanded that all international airports and border crossings be returned to its control, and asked all countries to "deal only with it on matters of oil and borders".
The United Nations, United States and United Kingdom have also expressed concern over the potentially destabilising impact of the referendum. Neighbouring Turkey and Iran also vehemently object to the referendum, fearing it will stoke separatist feeling among their own Kurdish minorities.
The UN Security Council warned on Thursday that the vote could hamper the fight against so-called Islamic State (IS) in Iraq, in which Kurdish forces have played a critical role, and efforts to ensure the return of 3 million displaced Iraqis. On Monday, Tehran called the vote "illegal and illegitimate" and said it had closed its borders with the Kurdistan Region.
Neighbouring Turkey, which has a sizeable Kurdish minority pushing for autonomy, said on Monday that it would view the results of the referendum as "null and void". However, it kept open the Kurdish oil export pipeline that crosses its territory. Ankara said it would consider the result of the referendum "null and void" and intended to form closer ties with Iraq's central government.
Iraqi Kurdistan's other neighbour, Iran, which has its own Kurdish populated region, has also denounced the vote. Celebratory mood
Kurdistan Regional President Massoud Barzani accused the international community of having double standards. By Sally Nabil, BBC News, Kirkuk
"We want to be free. This is a dream coming true," one woman says as she takes part in a referendum that has divided this disputed city.
Kirkuk's population is largely a mix of Arabs, Turkmen and Kurds, but only the Kurds are casting their ballots because other ethnic groups are boycotting it.
Security is quite heavy outside the polling stations as a result of the clashes seen in the city in recent days, but inside people seem relaxed and proud.
Many are holding Kurdish flags, sweets are being handed out to celebrate, and some children are dressed in traditional Kurdish costumes.
"When I go to Baghdad I feel like a second class citizen, I don't feel like I belong there," another voter tells me. "Now it is time for us to have our own state."
The UN Security Council warned on Thursday that the vote could hamper the fight against IS in Iraq, in which Kurdish forces have played a critical role, and efforts to ensure the return of 3 million displaced Iraqis.
But Kurdistan Regional President Massoud Barzani accused the international community of having double standards.
"Asking our people to vote in a peaceful way is not a crime," he said on Sunday. "If democracy is bad for us, why isn't it bad for everyone else?""Asking our people to vote in a peaceful way is not a crime," he said on Sunday. "If democracy is bad for us, why isn't it bad for everyone else?"
Mr Barzani said the referendum would not draw borders, and that afterwards there could be talks with Baghdad for a year or two. But he stressed that the "failed partnership" with the "theocratic, sectarian state" of Iraq was over.Mr Barzani said the referendum would not draw borders, and that afterwards there could be talks with Baghdad for a year or two. But he stressed that the "failed partnership" with the "theocratic, sectarian state" of Iraq was over.