![Image of the Kurdish flag Kurdishstruggle/Flickr]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2014_9_Kurdish-flag.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
The United States “strongly opposes” the planned independence referendum by Iraqi Kurds and urges Iraqi Kurdish leaders to engage in negotiations with the Baghdad government instead, the US State Department said on Wednesday.
In the most forceful US statement so far opposing the referendum, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said: “The United States strongly opposes the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government’s referendum on independence, planned for 25 September.”
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