Ankara accuses Barzani of 'dissolving Iraq'

Turkey has accused Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) leader Massoud Barzani of "dissolving Iraq," vowing to take "all necessary actions" to contain any fallout from the independence referendum at a national security meeting just days before the Sept. 25 vote. 

"If you opt for the disintegration of Iraq, we will not tell you 'OK, go ahead.' We have told them many times. We have told them in our bilateral talks," President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told reporters on Sept. 17 before departing for New York to attend the U.N. General Assembly. 

With just a week left until the referendum, Ankara has hardened its stance against the planned vote in recent days, linking the issue to Turkey's national security. 

"I have sent my [National Intelligence Organization] MİT Undersecretary [Hakan Fidan] to Erbil. I told them are making a mistake. You continue to resist after we have discussed this issue with you so many times," Erdoğan said. 

He strongly criticized Barzani by recalling Turkey's support and aid for the KRG in recent years. 

"You knock on our doors when you face difficulty and receive all kinds of support from us, but when it comes to disintegrating Iraq you go your own way," Erdoğan added.

His statement came after Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım said Turkey regards the referendum as a national security issued and will act accordingly. Erdoğan and Yıldırım had held an announced meeting on Sept. 16. 

'Decisive stance' to be announced on Sept 22

The president reiterated Ankara's decision to move the date of the biannual National Security Council (MGK) from Sept. 27 to Sept. 22, adding that a cabinet meeting will follow the top security meeting on the same day. 

"This issue...