Voting starts in controversial Kurdish referendum

Voting began early Monday in a controversial referendum on the secession of northern Iraq's Kurdish region amid regional and international opposition to the poll.

The non-binding referendum is taking place in areas under the control of the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq.

The ballot, which is boycotted by Turkmens and Arabs, is held in Erbil, Dohuk and Sulaymaniyah provinces, the contested province of Kirkuk, Tuz Khurmatu district in the Saladin province and Khanaqin district in Diyala province.

Residents in Sinjar, Makhmur, Tel Keyf, Hamdaniya and Seyhan districts of Mosul are also casting ballot.

According to data released by the KRG Independent High Electoral Commission, over 5 million people are expected to vote in the referendum.

Turkey, the U.S., Iran and the UN have warned that the vote would distract from operations against Daesh and lead to greater instability in the region.

Earlier Monday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said that results of the referendum are "null and void".

Iraq's central government has threatened to intervene militarily if the vote leads to violence.

The KRG's leader, Masoud Barzani, has said a Yes win would not result in an automatic declaration of independence but would simply lead to further negotiations with Baghdad.