Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi warned the Southern Kurdistan administration against military stockpiling in Kirkuk and demanded the cancellation of the referendum to begin a dialogue.

Abadi held a press conference in the government palace in Baghdad and said: “I am warning the Southern Kurdistan Regional Administration against deploying military forces in Kirkuk. That is a dangerous situation.”

Abadi said the KRG creating an imposition in the disputed territories is unacceptable and added: “We want the administrations in these areas to be partners to the leadership of the federal administration.”

“Our source for negotiations with the KRG is the constitution,” said Abadi and continued: “The condition for a dialogue is to remain loyal to the constitution and to cancel the referendum.”

Barzani had held a surprise visit to Kirkuk on September 2 and met with peshmerge commanders in the region there.