Kurdish referendum conspiracy of US-Israel to divide Middle East: Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah

Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has warned that the recent Kurdish independence referendum is a conspiracy of Israel and its ally U.S. to "open the door of partition" in the Middle East.

"Regional countries must confront the US-backed partition scheme by depending on their national capabilities as the region is facing a new challenge of partition threat after the separation referendum held in Iraqi Kurdistan leading to internal wars," Almanar quoted Nasrallah as saying

"The US administration is behind establishing ISIL/ISIS and all the woes caused by the takfiri group," he added.

Iraqi Kurds have voted overwhelmingly in favour of declaring independence from Iraq in a historic and controversial referendum, where some 3.45 million ballots were cast. Over 92 percent of those, who voted, opted in favor of independence, according to local authorities.

 

The outcome represents a step towards independence for the semi-autonomous region in northern Iraq and areas it claims.

The Kurdistan Regional Government says the referendum will give it a mandate for talks to secede from Iraq.