US expresses opposition to Kurdish independence referendum

WASHINGTON, Aug 16 (KUNA) -- The US reiterated Wednesday that it strongly opposes the planned September 25 referendum on Kurdish independence, State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters.
"We welcome the ongoing dialogue between Irbil and Baghdad," said Heather. But she argued that its important to "stay focused on the biggest battle at hand, and that is the battle against (IS)." She added, "The vast majority of us, from our various countries, experienced the terrorism that (IS) has put upon many free societies, and we want to see that done away with before going on to anything else." (end) ak.ibi