US urges political dialogue between Erbil, Baghdad

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani had a phone conversation Friday in which they stressed the need for political negotiations between Erbil and Baghdad.

According to a statement released on the KRG's website, Tillerson expressed his country's concerns over the tensions between the two sides.

He also urged that the ceasefire and security dialogue between Baghdad and KRG officials be developed into a political dialogue in efforts to solve the problems between the two administrations.

On Sept. 25, Iraqis in KRG-held areas -- and in a number of disputed districts -- voted on whether to declare regional independence from the Iraqi state.

According to results announced by the KRG, nearly 93 percent of registered voters cast ballots in favor of independence.

The illegitimate referendum was heavily criticized by most regional and international actors, with many warning it would distract from Iraq's ongoing fight against terrorism and further destabilize the region.

In the wake of the poll, Iraqi government forces have moved into several parts of the country "disputed" between Baghdad and the Erbil-based KRG, including oil-rich Kirkuk province.

The deployments led to limited clashes between Iraqi troops and Peshmerga forces, with a handful of casualties reported on both sides.