The Iraqi Kurdish region plans to hold a referendum on independence from Iraq on September 25, a top advisor to President Masoud Barzani wrote on Twitter.
"Big news. Kurdistan Referendum for independence is on 25/9/2017," said the tweet from Hemin Hawrami. He added that the vote would include the regions Kirkuk, Khanqin, Sinjar and Makhmor, which are contested.
The Iraqi Kurdistan region was created in 1992 and gained added impetus after the US-led invasion toppled Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.
The question of the referendum has been lingering in recent years, amid repeated statements by leaders that the Kurds plan to vote on their future. The region has been riddled by infighting among Kurdish parties, amid claims Barzani has become authoritarian.
