Implementation Of 2017 Kurdistan Independence Referendum: An Analysis
Abstract
Student Name: Ahmed Jabali Ibrahim, Abbas Ghazi Jadir
This research discusses the issue of the independence referendum that was conducted by the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq in 2017, as it sheds light on the events that took place in that period that was characterized by political and security chaos in the region in general due to the turmoil that occurred due to the emergence of the terrorist organization ISIS, in addition to many political events The pivotal area that surrounded the region internally and externally. The issue of independence for the Kurds is a top priority and the focus of their political struggle, as the Kurds have continuously sought over the years to obtain their right to self-determination and to obtain their homeland (Greater Kurdistan), which the Kurdish people in general aspire to obtain, as it is known that the Kurds have been exposed to disappointments. Many false promises were made in this regard, and the Kurdish leadership in Iraq was able to obtain the first legally and internationally recognized Kurdish entity in the form of a region affiliated with the federal Iraqi government. The Kurdish leader, Massoud Barzani, saw that the time had come for his people in the region to have a referendum to see the opinion of the majority whether they support independence and separation from the Iraqi federal government or oppose it. That took place during that period. The importance of this research comes because of the foggy scene that dominates this issue due to the practices of the federal government and the neighboring countries of the region, which absolutely refuse to have the Kurds become independent and have an internationally recognized state, in addition to the smear campaigns that the region and its government were subjected to in order to withdraw confidence from it and justify the policy of revenge, which was and is still practiced against the region.
