Kurds cast their ballots in a controversial independence referendum on September 25, 2017. (Photo: AFP/ VNA)

Voting was held as an initiative by the head of Kurdistan, Masoud Barzani, and took place in 3 northern provinces of the autonomous Kurdish region as well as border areas such as oil-rich Kirkuk province. The results are expected to be known within 72 hours.

The referendum faced protests from Baghdad as well as other countries in the region. Turkey, Iran and Iraq called for the cancellation of the referendum and warned of retaliation if the vote went ahead. Egypt and Saudi Arabia expressed concern over the referendum and asked the Kurdish to consider the long-term effect of the event to the stability and security of Iraq and the Middle East. The US said they could not help the Kurds reach a stronger agreement with the Iraqi government if they continued with the referendum.