Curfew declared in Kirkuk following KRG vote

The governorate of Kirkuk declared an overnight curfew in the Iraqi oil city as tension simmered following a non-binding referendum on independence organized by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) but rejected by the central government in Baghdad.

The curfew was announced in statement from the Kurdish-led governorate of the northern Iraqi city.

The Baghdad government decided to deploy troops in the Turkmen town of Kirkuk after the tension caused by the KRG’s referendum. The Iraqi parliament on Monday approved the resolution to hand over the oil fields in Kirkuk to the central government in Baghdad.

The controversial referendum slated for Sept. 25, results of which will be non-binding, will see residents of the Kurdish region vote on whether or not to declare independence from Iraq.

Baghdad, however, rejects the poll, saying it will adversely affect the fight against Daesh, which still maintains a significant presence in northern Iraq.

The Iraqi government also believes that holding the poll would violate the terms of the country's 2005 constitution.

Turkey also rejects the planned referendum, saying the region’s stability depends on the maintenance of Iraq’s unity and territorial integrity.