Kurdish President Masoud Barzani hand-penned a statement describing yesterday's meeting with nearly all political parties in the Kurdistan Region, which set September 25 as the date to hold an independence referendum for the Kurdistan Region including the disputed areas.
"The autonomous Kurdish region already has many characteristics of a state - an executive, legislature, judiciary and security forces - all recognized under the Iraqi constitution's federalist structure", Deutsche Welle reported.
The announcement comes hours after a U.S. coalition based mainly on Kurdish ground forces began the campaign to conquer Raqqa, considered the capital of the so-called Islamic State.
The referendum sets the stage for what may be Iraq's first major crisis after the end of the operation to recapture Mosul from jihadists, which temporarily united rival Iraqi federal and Kurdish forces that will still be deployed in close proximity in the north.
Kurdish officials had told Reuters this spring that any referendum - which has been mooted for years - would be legally non-binding, and would mostly serve to strengthen Erbil's hand when it comes to direct talks with Baghdad on greater autonomy or a path to eventual independence. On that negotiation, Turkey will aspire to participate.
There is also the issue of regional opposition: Turkey, Syria and Iran also have substantial Kurdish populations, and these countries could oppose Iraqi Kurdish independence out of fear that it would inspire similar moves at home.
Masrour Barzani, head of the Kurdish government's security council and son of President Barzani, said in June a year ago Iraq should be divided into separate Shi'ite, Sunni and Kurdish entities to prevent further sectarian bloodshed.
There is widespread support among Iraqi Kurds for an independent state.
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But there are major political and economic obstacles to Iraqi Kurdish independence.
"I am pleased to announce that the date for the independence referendum has been set for Monday, Sept. 25, 2017", Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani said on Twitter.
Kurdistan exports most of its oil via a pipeline leading to the Turkish port of Ceyhan, but also overland through Turkey by tanker truck. Neighbouring Iran, Turkey and Syria are also against the idea.
This refers to swathes of northern territory that are claimed by both Kurdistan and Baghdad, including the key oil-rich province of Kirkuk. The move is likely to be opposed by Baghdad which has long voiced its opposition to Kurdish secession.
Hawrami said the question put to voters would be "do you want an independent Kurdistan?".
Iraqi Kurdish leader Massud Barzani looks on during a joint press conference in Arbil, the capital of the Kurdish autonomous region on April 6, 2015 in northern Iraq.
The political parties will strive for reactivating the parliament and resolving political issues to create national consensus, the statement said.
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