Iraqi Kurds took to the streets in celebration early Tuesday morning (Sept. 5) marking the official start of campaigns for the region’s upcoming referendum.<br /><br />Despite calls from Baghdad and the US to postpone the vote, Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region has pressed ahead with plans to hold the independence referendum on September 25.<br /><br />Kirkuk – home to Arabs, Kurds and ethnic Turkmen – is set to be a key focal point : the oil-rich city is claimed by both Baghdad and the Kurdish region.<br /><br />While the vote is non-binding, the Kurdish region’s leadership is determined to capitalise on the territorial gains their forces have made during the fight against the so-called Islamic State group (IS).<br /><br />A dangerous game of chicken is being played over the future of Iraq, Jon Alterman and Mara Karlin write: https://t.co/TF7lZZl1N1— CSIS Middle East (@CSISMidEast) September 4, 2017<br />
