Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Thursday rejected an offer by the Kurdistan Regional Government to freeze the results of the independence referendum and open dialogue with Baghdad.
“We accept only the cancellation of the referendum and the adherence to the constitution,” Mr. Abadi said.
On Monday, the KRG offered to freeze the results of the referendum in exchange for an immediate ceasefire and halt to all Iraqi military operations in the autonomous Kurdistan region.
Speaking from the Iranian capital, Mr. Abadi said Baghdad “warned against holding the referendum, but to no avail.”
Following the September 25 Kurdistan referendum, in which 92 percent of voters said yes to forming an independent state, the central government in Baghdad has moved to reclaim disputed territories, including the oil-rich city of Kirkuk.