Allawi warns of civil war in case talks with Kurdistan fail
October 09 2017
11:00 PM
Iraqi vice president Iyad Allawi on Monday warned of civil war in Kirkuk in case the ongoing talks between Baghdad and Erbil regarding the latter's independence reach an impasse

In an interview with the Associated Press, Allawi called on head of Kurdistan region Masoud Barzani and the central government in Baghdad to impose self-restraint

Any attempts by IMIS, or its subordinate militia of Asaid Ahl al-Haq, to invade Kirkuk will open the floodgate for a deadly conflict, the politician, who once served as prime minister of Iraq, said

He asserted that the government should restrain the movements of Shiite militias for infighting not to break out, and Peshmerga should not resort to force to wrest control over these disputed areas

Tensions have been rising between Baghdad and Erbil as the latter held an independence referendum, where yes vote prevailed https://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/story/18022/Allawi-warns-of-civil-war-in-case-talks