TEHRAN, Iran \u2014 Iran\u2019s powerful Revolutionary Guard launched a military exercise Sunday in its northwestern Kurdish region just ahead of Iraqi Kurds voting in an independence referendum, in a sign of Tehran\u2019s concerns over the vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iran also closed its airspace Sunday to flights taking off from Iraq\u2019s Kurdish region following an Iraqi request, \u201cdue to the ineffectiveness of our political efforts and the insistence of Kurdistan authorities to hold a referendum.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iraq\u2019s Kurds are set to vote Monday in a referendum on support for independence. The Kurds are likely to approve the referendum, but the non-binding vote is not expected to result in any formal declaration of independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Guard, a paramilitary force answerable only to Iran\u2019s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on its website that airborne and missile units would take part in the exercise. State television aired footage of explosions and smoke rising as part of the drill, in the mountains of Iran\u2019s own Kurdish region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are holding a drill here,\u201d Gen. Mohammad Pakpour, the commander of the Guard\u2019s ground forces, said in the footage. \u201cGod willing, artillery, armored (divisions), drones and commandos will hold a well-coordinated exercise.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turkey, which is also home to a large Kurdish minority and opposes the vote, is holding military drills near its own border with Iraq.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iran\u2019s semi-official ISNA news agency reported that the Supreme National Security Council closed Iranian airspace to the Iraqi Kurdish area at the request of the central government in Baghdad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Iran and Iraq have been close allies since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq toppled dictator Saddam Hussein. Both are opposed to Kurdish independence, and Baghdad has said the referendum is unconstitutional.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Also semi-official Tasnim news agency reported Sunday that Iran\u2019s Army Ground Forces is running a military exercise in western near the Iraqi border since this morning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a rare moment of agreement, Saudi Arabia has come out on the same side as its arch regional rival, Iran. It has publicly called for the vote not to move forward, citing current regional conditions and the potential for the vote to ignite a new crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 57-nation Organization of Islamic Cooperation on Sunday also voiced its \u201cdeep concern\u201d over the planned referendum, saying it runs against the constitution of Iraq and could have a negative impact on Iraq\u2019s ability to fight terrorism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Associated Press writers Jon Gambrell and Aya Batrawy in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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