Iraqi Kurdish independence referendum will fuel instability, Turkey says

A man makes his way as a Kurdish flag flutters atop the Citadel of Erbil, northern Iraq June 8, 2017. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis

ANKARA (Reuters) - Next month's referendum on Iraqi Kurdish independence violates Iraq's constitution and will further destabilise the region, a Turkish government spokesman said on Tuesday.

Iraq's Kurds have said they will go ahead with the referendum on independence on Sept. 25 despite concerns from Iraq's neighbours who have Kurdish minorities within their borders, and a U.S. request to postpone it.