Iraqi Neighbors’ Stance on Kurdish Independence Referendum of 2017: Iran and Turkey

Abstract

This paper is to evaluate the stance of both Iran and Turkey on the independence referendum of the Iraqi Kurds, 2017. This has been done by reviewing several articles that have, partly, highlighted the stance of Iraqi neighboring countries on the issue. It is, therefore, a survey-like study to find out why and how these states were against the step. While the Kurdish attempt for independence was backed by several historical reasons and realistic opportunities, it faced failure. Iran and Turkey, as two Iraqi neighbors that have a considerable number of Kurdish populations inside their borders, played a crucial role in defeating the step. The point here is that, globally, while Western powers were against Iran’s behavior, agreed with it in facing the referendum. Besides, regionally, while Iran and Turkey had lots of issues regarding the Syrian crisis, they agreed on taking joint steps against the referendum. This means that the regional powers and the international community agreed on protecting Iraqi territorial integrity by violating the Kurdish right to self-determination. The fact is that Iran and Turkey’s fear of spillover effects of the referendum on their population was a realistic one, to an extent. However, the unaddressed question is that nulling the referendum did not solve the Kurdish dilemma in the Middle East. Additionally, the referendum has become another issue to challenge the new world order which, in theory, is based on international law and principles; and, in practice, it is based on the interest of great powers. The Kurdish issue, in both theory and practice, is a problematique one for the international community. Here, the conflict of interests is between the stateless nations who want to become independent and the current states who want to protect their territorial integrity.