A statement was issued by the Iraqi Foreign Ministry, which demanded both Turkey and Iran close their borders with Southern Kurdistan. The Baghdad administration also demanded Turkey and Iran deal only with the Iraqi central government in matters of trade, exports and oil sales.

The statement said: “With a notice sent to Turkey and Iran embassies, we requested they only recognize the Iraqi central government at the border gates with the two countries and to close off any border gates not under the control of the Iraqi central government.”

The ministry stated that the “Iraqi central government is working with Turkey and Iran to implement the steps taken in accordance with the law.”

In the aftermath of the referendum, anti-Kurdish meetings were held once again between Baghdad, Tehran and Ankara. Especially the administration in Ankara is seeking to build an alliance against Kurds among the states of the region.

In a speech he gave on October 5, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said: “Here you go, now all the air space will be closed, the flights are already banned. Who will be able to come in? How will you get out? The borders will soon be closed. How will you enter or leave?” Erdoğan had recently visited Iran as well to organize anti-Kurdish sentiment.