GETTY Erdogan hopes to win sweeping new powers in the April 16 vote

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Mr Erdogan is putting up a tough fight for a constitutional reform that would see him awarded a swathe of new powers. Voters will head to the polls on April 16 to have their say in the controversial referendum, which sparked diplomatic war between Turkey and much of mainland Europe. But one Middle East expert has warned a vote in the Turkish leader’s favour will spark chaos across the Arab world.

GETTY The referendum has sparked many protests in Turkey

GETTY The referendum has split public opinion

Abdel Mottaleb El-Husseini claims that if Mr Erdogan succeeds, it will have catastrophic consequences for the whole region. And he says this will have particular significant for the Kurds, who he warns will lose all hope for reconciliation. He said: ”With his expanded capabilities and the belief that the Turks are behind him, Erdogan will carry all the Kurds' aspirations for autonomy and rights to the grave.”

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In his endeavour, he threatens to set the region on fire Middle East expert Abdel Mottaleb El-Husseini

And he predicted the result could spark off a spiral of violence, resulting in more terror by Kurdish factions and more repression by Ankara in response. Mr Erdogan would also oppress the Kurds in Syria and Iraq more strongly, Mr Husseini claimed. He said: "Turkish forces are already stationed at the border with Iraq. With this Erdogan is ignoring the will of Iraq. “The troops are supposed to fight the Kurdish PKK on the ground, but it is actually about an occupation."

REUTERS President Erdogan has rowed with Germany and the Netherlands