Court backs Baghdad by stalling Kurdish referendum
The Baghdad government has several legal, economic and military options to prevent the Kurdistan region from conducting an independence referendum that is opposed by most regional and global powers.
BAGHDAD — Iraq's highest court has ordered a halt to the Sept. 25 Kurdish independence referendum, saying it wants to examine complaints that the vote would be unconstitutional. The Kurds, however, don't appear to be backing down.
The Federal Supreme Court's order Sept. 18 followed a vote Sept. 12 vote by a majority of parliament that rejected the referendum. Parliament issued a decision stating that Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi should take all measures to preserve Iraq's unity and begin a dialogue to address outstanding issues.
