Iran, Iraq hold exercises near Iraqi Kurdistan

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The communiqué said Pakistan fully supports Iraq's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Turnout was reported at more than 72 percent of eligible voters.

The independence referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan was held on Monday.

The Kurdish leadership also welcomed the call for dialogue presented by most revered Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani to resolve the crisis, which was exacerbated after the Kurdish region held the referendum on September 25.

"We never regret what we have done in the past, but now the circumstances have changed, the northern Iraqi regional government which we have been giving all kinds of support for a long time, has taken a step in spite of our country".

Nasrallah accused Israel of supporting Kurdish statehood, describing the independence referendum as "a U.S".

Neighbouring Turkey and Iran also strongly opposed the vote, fearing it would inflame the separatist aspirations of their own sizable Kurdish population.

Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani had announced last week that Kurds had voted "yes" to independence in the referendum held in defiance of the government in Baghdad.

Man City's Benjamin Mendy ruptures anterior cruciate ligament
Earlier on Thursday night, Aguero posted a picture of himself on Instagram with the Colombian singer/songwriter Maluma. I think our task now is just to support him (Mendy) and just to be there if he needs something from us.

Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said it was not "punishment" but a legal measure that would be reversed if the transport authority was transferred to Baghdad in line with the Iraqi constitution. Regional powers, including Iran, Iraq, and Turkey, were less measured, issuing economic, security, and diplomatic sanctions against the KRG-most of which have not yet materialized.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters that the U.S. has expressed "deep concern" and "disappointment" that the vote went forward, but said the airport ultimatum "would not be an example of engaging constructively".

They also adopted the "necessary decisions to establish security along borders and receive forces of the Iraqi central government for deployment at border posts", he added.

Erdogan further asserted that the Israeli intelligence services could have "helped the organisers of the referendum".

Last week, Erdogan indicated he would mull severing ties with Israel if the Jewish state refused to withdraw its support for an independent Kurdish state.

Washington, another critic, said it did not recognise the "unilateral" referendum and urged dialogue and a rejection of the use of force.

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