The independence referendum, which is seen as the first step in the process of becoming a state for the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, is being held on Monday, September 25th. The Kurdistan Negotiating Committee, which visited Iraq's capital, Baghdad yesterday, said they insisted on a referendum and that after the referendum they wanted to continue dialogue with Baghdad. The Baghdad side explained that they could not agree on the referendum. The Kurdish people are pleased that a referendum will be held despite the serious reaction of the countries against the referendum.

People who spoke to ILKHA’s correspondents in the streets of Erbil [Hewlêr], expressed that they especially expected support from Turkiye but seeing Turkiye as the most opposed country to the independence has upset them.

Saying that they will go to the polls tomorrow for the Kurdish people, the Erbilians are stated that they want to live as liberally as all the peoples of the world. The people of Erbil expressed that they have always seen blood, tears, and death through the history, said that the time of suffering they have experienced for years had expired.

“Longing for years will end tomorrow”

Sharzad Zirari, one of the Erbilian expressed that longing for years will end with the referendum, “We are ready to vote with our blood on 25th of the month for the independence referendum in Kurdistan. Until when Kurdistan will not be independent. We want independence like the peoples of the world. We support Masoud Barzani with our blood and soul. I hope we will win.”

“We will vote for the independence of Kurdistan”

Faris Abdullah also shared his feelings said, “We support the referendum. We also support the Kurds. We will go to the polls altogether and vote for the independence of Kurdistan on the 25th of the month.”

“Like all countries in the world, we also want to be independent”

“I do not want to change the date of the referendum and it should be done right away,” said Shivan Muhammad, and added, “I hope the referendum will be held on time. We want independence as the Kurdish nation. All countries in the world are independent. We want to be independent, too.”

“The referendum is the common right of the Kurds”

Indicating that Kurds persecuted throughout history Mamosta Aram, said: “The referendum is the common right of the Kurds. After Anfal and chemical attacks, the referendum is the right of the Kurdish people. We have suffered too much before with the Baath government other governments. We want the referendum because the budget cut, the Kurds' rights are not granted.”

“Troubles and problems of Kurds hopefully will end”

Muhammad Fethullah from Iran came to Erbil, “I came from Iran. I travel all over southern Kurdistan. I express with the poetry what has happened to the Kurds. Right now the people of Kurdistan are very happy because of the referendum. I hope the troubles and problems are ending. The unity of the Kurds is a very important issue.”

“Kurds will be independent”

Khalil Majid said that they are very happy, “Kurds will be independent in the favor of President Barzani. We will be his servant as long as Barzani lives. There will be quite a Kurdish lover as long as Barzani lives. We will lift the Kurdish flag as long as everyone is together.”

"I hope we will do what is our right”

Peshmerga Mamo Adım said: “I am a Peshmerga in Kurdistan. We are meeting negotiations and meeting with neighboring states. One of our delegation is in Baghdad for this matter. Some went to Iran and Turkiye. I hope everything will be good. We will be a state if we do our job very well.”

“We will be independent by permission of Allah”

Indicating that the referendum should be solved by dialogue, not war, Serbest Ramazan said, “I hope we will do our referendum. By Allah's permission, we will be independent, like the free peoples on earth. I hope it will be good. We will go forward with the help of Allah and Barzani's presidency. We hope for dialogue, not through war, but through dialogue. We hope that our job is going to be done with peace.”

“The Kurds are passing through a historic turn”

Kerem Çicek, who said he came from Turkiye to support the referendum, said: “I came from Erzurum to support the referendum. Today is a historic day, the Kurds passing through a historic turn. We were dreaming about it. Now I came to Erbil from Erzurum to hear with our ear to see with our eyes. I am 71 years old and I will thank Allah a lot if I see this. Some Kurds oppose it. If we have a unity, nothing will happen, even if there are opponents. There are some traitors among the Kurds, there will be no problem if they are with us.”

“I'm very happy, I've voted”

Muhammad Nasır who came from Sweden for the referendum, “I live in Sweden. I am from Tuzhurmatu. I am very happy with this referendum as a Kurd. I voted online via the electronic system. I really want the Kurds to win. I want to be independent like other countries. For example, Sweden has a population of 9 million, but it is free. Everyone lives there freely. They tell me you are 45-50 million of a population and do not have a state. I cannot find an answer. How many years we were under the rule, how many years we are expelled from our country, we want to be like the other people. I want to be among my brothers and relatives. I'm glad to give you an interview on your channel. I want the union of four parts of Kurdistan. The Kurds in Diyarbakir are my brothers, Kurds in Iran are my brothers, I want them to be successful too.”

Omar Rauf, “I am a September peshmerga. We tell the whole Kurdish people; this referendum is a success for the Kurds in four parts. This referendum is an independence referendum. We're working for a hundred years. We saw Anfal and the chemical bombardment. We saw all the unpleasant things. When we were killed while we were working, those who had no sin were killed. We will not go back, we will go forward, and we will establish the Kurdish state. On 25th September we ask for help from all the world's states. By Allah's permission, the Kurdish state is very close. There is no turning back. We ask Masoud Barzani not to convince any state. He shouldn’t step back even if the whole Kurdish nation breaks. We will die or we will sue the state. We ask all Kurds to vote on 25 September.”

ILKHA