Turkey urges Barzani to abolish Kurdistan referendum

ANKARA, Sept 22 (KUNA) -- Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim reiterated his call on Kurdish Regional Government's (KRG) President Masoud Barzani to abolish the planned independence referendum, due on September 25, official media reported Friday.
Such a process is a matter of national security to Turkey, which will not hesitate to use all its rights in this regard in accordance with its international and bilateral agreements, Yildirim said in a press statement, according to Anadolu Agency (AA).
"This referendum, which is opposed by the whole world and is illegal to international law, will not bring happiness to our Kurdish brothers in the region," he said.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is due to chair two separate meetings today to discuss the Kurdish planned referendum.
Erdogan has stated that the meetings would discuss sturdy sanctions against Kurdistan region for holding a referendum on withdrawal from Iraq.
Meanwhile, the Turkish parliament will also hold an emergency session on Saturday to discuss extending the mandate of a government resolution authorizing Turkish forces to launch military operations in Syria and Iraq. (end) rs.ma