The step comes a day after Iraqi Kurdistan held a referendum on independence from Iraq despite opposition from Baghdad.
The referendum was held amid harsh criticism from the Iraqi government, as well as from a number of foreign countries, including Turkey and Iran. In particular, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim did not rule out on Monday that Ankara would terminate oil transit from Iraqi Kurdistan in retaliation for the vote.
The decision to hold the independence referendum was made by Iraqi Kurdistan's leaders in June. At the time, the news caused concern amongst world powers and the UN Security Council fearing that the referendum might destabilize Iraq, which is still fighting the ISIL terrorist group.
In October 2005, the status of Iraqi Kurdistan as Iraq's autonomous region as well as the rights of the Kurds and other ethnic groups was recognized in the constitution.
SPUTNIK/MNA
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