TEHRAN: Iran has shut its border with Iraqi Kurdistan in response to its independence referendum, the foreign ministry said Monday.
“At the request of the Iraqi government, we have closed our land and air borders” with Iraqi Kurdistan, foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said at a press conference.
The referendum is “illegal and illegitimate,” he added.
Iran had already announced on Sunday that it was stopping all flights to and from Iraqi Kurdistan in response to the vote.
President Hassan Rouhani spoke overnight with Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Al-Abadi, saying: “The Islamic republic of Iran fully supports the central government of Iraq.”
The referendum went ahead on Monday despite strong opposition from Baghdad and its neighbors, as well as Western governments including the United States.
Iran fears the vote could encourage separatists in its own Kurdish region, and said last week that independence could mean an end to all of border and security arrangements.
Iranian security forces have faced regular attacks by militant Kurdish separatists, primarily based across the border in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Iran closes border with Iraqi Kurdistan
Iran closes border with Iraqi Kurdistan
Syrian authorities arrest 3 members of pro-Assad armed group in Hama
- The group is accused of engaging in incitement against the state to undermine security and stability
- 30 people targeted by separate operation in Tartus, including what security forces describe as remnants of the Assad regime, instigators and outlaws
LONDON: Syrian authorities in Hama have arrested three people accused of involvement in an armed group linked to remnants of the deposed regime of the former president, Bashar Assad.
The Internal Security Command in Al-Ghab, central Syria, said on Wednesday that the group had engaged in incitement against the state with the aim of undermining security and stability.
Brig. Gen. Mulham Al-Shantout, commander of internal security in Hama, said the operation that led to the arrests was carried out in coordination with counterterrorism authorities.
About 30 people were targeted as part of a separate operation in Tartus, the Internal Security Command said, including what it described as remnants of the Assad regime, instigators and outlaws. One individual was killed during armed clashes with members of the security forces, three of whom were injured, and a cache of weapons and ammunition was seized in the coastal city.
Authorities said they remain strongly committed to protecting citizens, maintaining civil peace and enforcing the law against anyone who jeopardizes the security and stability of the country, the Syrian Arab News Agency reported.
