Monday, 25 September, 2017 , 13:00 AFP — Iran's foreign ministry said Monday that its border with Iraqi Kurdistan remained open despite its independence referendum, reversing an earlier statement.

Monday, 25 September, 2017 , 12:46 AFP — Iraq's parliament demanded Monday that troops be sent to disputed areas in the north controlled by the Kurds since 2003 as the autonomous Kurdish area staged a referendum on independence.

Monday, 25 September, 2017 , 12:37 AFP — For Iraqi Kurds, the purple finger tip is a badge of honour, a sign that they have voted in Monday's referendum on independence for the autonomous northern region.

Monday, 25 September, 2017 , 12:31 AFP —

Monday, 25 September, 2017 , 11:50 AFP — Syria's Foreign Minister Walid Muallem has rejected a controversial independence referendum by Iraq's Kurds being held on Monday as "unacceptable," saying Damascus only recognised a unified Iraq.

Monday, 25 September, 2017 , 11:46 AFP — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that Ankara would close its border with northern Iraq over an independence referendum and threatened the Iraqi Kurds with blocking their key oil exports.

Monday, 25 September, 2017 , 11:16 AFP — The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces militia on Monday accused Russia of killing one of its fighters and wounding others at a gas facility it captured two days ago from the Islamic State group in eastern Syria.

Monday, 25 September, 2017 , 11:08 AFP — Iraqi Kurds voted in an independence referendum Monday, defying warnings from Baghdad and their neighbours in a historic step towards a national dream.

Monday, 25 September, 2017 , 10:38 AFP — Iraqi Kurds voted in an independence referendum Monday, defying warnings from Baghdad and their neighbours in a historic step towards a national dream.

Monday, 25 September, 2017 , 10:36 AFP —