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Canada is continuing with its plan to arm Kurdish forces even after the Kurds voted this week to declare an independent state in what is now northern Iraq.

In a referendum Monday, the Kurds voted almost 92 per cent in favour of independence, and Kurdish leaders are calling on the Iraqi government in Baghdad to begin negotiations for a peaceful secession.

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But Iraq had maintained the referendum was illegal. It has given the Kurds until Friday to hand over control of all oil revenue, airports, and border-crossings under their control. If they don’t comply, Iraq will shut down international flights to the Kurdish region. Iraq’s parliament has also urged the government to send troops to take control of oil fields held by Kurdish forces. The Kurds have dismissed the Iraqi government’s demands.

Turkey has also threatened trade sanctions against the Kurds and has hinted at military action. The U.S., Saudi Arabia, Iran, Syria and a number of other nations have condemned the referendum. Canada has not, although it has voiced its support for a unified Iraq.