Expectations and realities in the Kurdish quest for independence in Iraq : 25 September independence referendum

Abstract EN

Following the invasion of Iraq, governance authority and economic opportunities allowed for the Kurds to increase their capacity in terms of politics, military, economics, and culture.

Agreements made with multinational energy companies, the diplomatic relationships formed with other states, and the fight against DAESH strengthened the Kurds’ institutional structure among other states and increased their self-confidence.

In contrast to regional and international powers, the Kurds were able to perceive the security gap in the Middle East, which emerged after the changing environment caused after the Arab Spring.

The central administration of Iraq perceives the Kurdish quest for a status, which has independence as its ultimate goal, as a threat to its national integrity.

Therefore, the Baghdad administration increasingly implemented security-oriented and authoritarian policies with the aim of more centralization.

An independence referendum was accepted as the only missing critical factor that would lead the Kurdish quest to its ultimate goal, and therefore, this referendum was held with high hopes.

However, the consequences and the aftermath of the referendum were mis-calculated.

This article argues that the Kurds utilized their energy sources and their fight against DAESH as political instruments in their quest for independence.

Within this framework, this article underlines how the unsuccessful outcome of the 25 September, 2017, independence referendum resulted in a new period of debate concerning the position of Kurds.