A huge independence rally in Erbil, Iraq ended on Friday with a fireworks display.<br /><br />Residents of Kirkuk and Iraqi Kurdistan will go to the polls on Monday for a controversial referendum on independence, which if they vote “yes” as expected, will begin the process of turning their autonomous enclave into an independent state.<br /><br />Western powers are concerned it could ignite conflict with Baghdad and divert attention from the war against Islamic State militants.
