UK urges Iraq, KRG to maintain dialogue

The U.K. has urged the Iraqi and Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) authorities to "seek a quick, peaceful resolution within the constitution to the current Kurdish/Iraqi tensions," a government statement said Monday.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said he spoke on the phone to Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi as well as KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and "encouraged both to continue to de-escalate the situation on the ground in Iraq and to avoid misunderstandings that could lead to conflict".

Johnson said the U.K. welcomed the willingness from both sides "to engage in dialogue on the basis of the Iraqi Constitution."

"The U.K. remains committed to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity of Iraq and will continue to support all Iraq's people, including Iraq's Kurds, within a unified Iraq," Johnson added.

Urging both sides to focus on the fight against Daesh to prevent its re-emergence, Johnson said they need to work together "to rebuild liberated towns, villages and lives."

Welcoming the resignation of Masoud Barzani yesterday, the British foreign secretary said this could present an opportunity to a new generation of Kurds who must "build strong democratic institutions and resolve the historic differences … consistent with the Iraqi Constitution".

Tension has steadily mounted between Baghdad and Erbil since Sept. 25, when Iraqis in KRG-held areas -- and in several disputed areas, including Kirkuk -- voted on whether or not to declare political independence.

The unconstitutional 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.