Turkish president outlines actions against N.Iraq

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - SEPTEMBER 25: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan attends international meeting on ombudsman institutions in Istanbul, Turkey on September 25, 2017. Turkey will take political, economic, commercial and security steps against northern Iraq’s Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), as it is holding a referendum for an independent state, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday. He reiterated Turkey’s support for Iraq’s territorial integrity and social unity. “And we will work to ensure that. We are taking all kind of steps in northern Iraq, particularity on political, economic, commercial and security issues,” He pointed to the ongoing military drill at the Turkey's border with northern Iraq, adding that more measures would be announced soon. “At the same time, the [Turkish] Air Force is in the same situation and only permits passage to the Iraqi border," he said. "We will immediately announce other measures and steps taken this week.” Monday's non-binding referendum will see voters in northern Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government (KRG)-held areas, including areas disputed between Erbil and Baghdad, vote on seceding from Iraq. Baghdad, Turkey, Iran, the U.S., and the UN have all spoken out against the poll, saying it will only distract from the ongoing fight against Daesh and further destabilize the region. (Footage by Engin Morgul/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)