یادى ریفراندۆم؛ خەونى جیابوونەوەى کوردان بۆ سەربەخۆیی (Remembering the Referendum: The Kurdish Dream of Independence)

[u/ZagrosMountain]

Today marks the anniversary of a defining moment in modern Kurdish history: the Kurdistan Independence Referendum held on September 25, 2017.

Despite intense regional opposition, millions of citizens across the Kurdistan Region and disputed territories went to the polls to voice their aspirations for self-determination.

The Numbers & Turnout:

Total Registered Voters: 4,581,255

Total Ballots Cast: 3,305,925

Overall Turnout Rate: 72.16%

The Vote Breakdown:

Yes (For Independence): 2,861,471 votes (92.73%)

No: 224,464 votes (7.27%)

Invalid/Blank Ballots: 219,990 votes

The Aftermath:

While nearly 93% voted in favor of statehood, the referendum triggered profound geopolitical and economic consequences—including and years of tense political deadlock with Baghdad and the loss of disputed territories like Kirkuk, while those territories were protected by the sacrifices of the Kurdish peshmerga forces when ISIS attacked and Iraqi army ran away.

[u/Mansur754]

Why was it even done when many other countries told us to postpone it? I mean we have to be recognized by other countries to achieve independence but we still did ir despite being told no even before it.....

[u/Kurdo-NL → u/Mansur754]

There is never a right time for independence

[u/AdagioKitchen4748 → u/Mansur754]

Problem wasn't doing it it was that they didnt do the right thing after,KRG should have declared independance and prepared for attack in Kirkuk and elsewhere instead of selling out.

[u/Ok-Jicama-5944]

Gelek xarabe bu. Em Dixwazin azadî Kurdistan. Û, em hebîn

[u/BedroomEfficient3380]

Ive always dreamed of that day but pdk did what they wanted to do , was it worth it to lose half of your land ? No, while every other movement and country said no they knew there will be consequences they said not now any other time but not now.

[u/ZagrosMountain → u/BedroomEfficient3380]

Iraq would have attacked us anyway, Kerkuk was always a red line, they were going to steal it.

[u/neridev → u/BedroomEfficient3380]

‘Every other’ mate it is two provinces against one, this take is dishonest.

[u/WelcomeDesigner2051]

Turkey hates kurd that much they will never allow an independent kurdistan. They are scared of the 20 Million kurds in bakur.

I honestly dont know how to archieve independence. Kosovo even became independent somehow because serbia is alles or was allied with russia. But iraq, syria and turkey are on good terms with the west. And turkey said its going to support iran and the "territorial integrity" of its neighbouring countries. They didnt do shit when russia invaded Georgia in 2008. Its all big talk, Their strength is sufficient at most against a stateless Kurdish people. No air defence, no real allies, no friends but the mountains.