The following article was originally published in Sputnik News.
Iraqi Kurdistan is in the process of putting everything in place to hold an independence referendum in the near future, Said Mamuziny, a representative of the Kurdistan Democratic Party in Mosul, told Sputnik Turkey, adding that 95 percent of the Kurds in the region support a divorce from Baghdad.
Mamuziny also noted that other ethnic groups living in Iraqi Kurdistan are on board with the Kurds in their aspirations.
“Arabs, Turkmen and other groups living in Iraqi Kurdistan have also thrown their support behind the idea of an independent Kurdistan since it has protected their rights. There is no rift between the Kurds and other ethnic groups. They enjoy the same rights as the Kurds. All of their universal and cultural rights are under protection,” he said.
Mamuziny acknowledged that not everyone would be happy with the outcome of the referendum.”The Kurds are confident in their powers. They are determined to declare independence. Some will recognize it, others will not. We want to foster working relations with neighboring countries after we declare independence. We aspire to get along with, live in peace and quiet with Turkey, Iran and other countries,” he said.
This article originally appeared in Sputnik News.
