Erbil (BasNews) The independence referendum in Kurdistan Region will be held this year and the United Nations (UN) and the US will have a supporting role in the move, said Muhammed Haji Mahmud, Secretary General of Kurdistan Socialist Democratic Party.

Mahmud told BasNews on Saturday that Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani is insisting on organizing an independence referendum in 2017, a move supported by all Kurdish factions.

The Kurds won’t be supported by the mountains alone this time, the US and UN will also support the imminent process, said the Kurdish political leader.

He further said that during his latest visit to Europe, Barzani made it clear to all the world leaders he met on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference that Kurds seek to determine their future and declare statehood.

Mahmud added that the UN has partially agreed to oversee the referendum.

Barzani said, during a meeting with the UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Thursday, that Kurdistan Region will soon hold a referendum on independence to show the will of the people to the world.







