Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said Tuesday that Kurdistan Region’s September referendum, which backed separation from Iraq, has now become “history”, calling for dialogue with Kurdish authorities under the umbrella of Iraqi constitution.

Speaking during his weekly cabinet meeting, Abadi made the statements hours after Iraq’s military command said its troops had taken full control over Kirkuk province’s main oil fields, military bases, and government buildings.

“The referendum is now over, and has become history,” said Abadi, referring to the vote which has sparked a political crisis and lately the Iraqi incursion in Kirkuk.

“I now call for dialogue under the umbrella of the constitution”, he said.

Regarding the situation in Kirkuk, Abadi stressed that “Iraqi forces will not engage into infighting”, adding that “any assault on Kurds is an assault on us”.

He said his government would “soon declare the liberation of all Iraqi territories and clearing the borderline with Syria”.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi PM denied reports on an alleged deal with Kurdistan Region to split Kirkuk into several administrations to be run jointly by Baghdad and Erbil.

Source: Agencies