Russia, Iran, France warn Iraqi Kurds against repercussions of secession

Russia, Iran and France have warned that a controversial secession referendum held in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region could lead to further instability in the entire Middle East, a region already rife with numerous conflicts and terror threats.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that Moscow respects the Kurds’ ambitions, but believes the dispute over the status of Iraqi Kurdistan could be settled through talks with Baghdad.

“The Russian party believes it to be of utmost importance to avoid anything that risks to further complicate and destabilize the Middle East, which is already overloaded by conflict situations,” the statement read.

It further noted that Moscow continues to support the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq and other Middle Eastern states.

The Kurdistan row “can and should be resolved with constructive and respectful dialogue aimed at finding a mutual form of coexistence in a unified Iraqi state,” the statement added.

Except for the illegal Zionist entity, the entire international community, especially Iraq’s neighbors, has voiced concerns over the repercussions of the vote.

Separately on Wednesday, 210 out of 290 lawmakers in the Iranian Parliament (Majlis) issued a statement, condemning secessionist moves by the Iraqi Kurdistan region and supporting the Baghdad government.

“Over the past years, Iraq has witnessed different conspiracies by the US and the Zionist regime, but the steadfastness, solidarity and resistance of the Iraqi nation, including Arabs and Kurds as well as Sunnis and Shias, foiled all the plots hatched by the arrogance,” the statement read.

In a relevant development on Wednesday, France warned of the destabilizing effects of the vote and urged the Iraqi government to give the Kurds greater autonomy.

SS