Turkish minister warns of Kurdish referendum 'disaster'

Turkey’s EU Minister Omer Celik has described the decision to include the disputed Iraqi city of Kirkuk in the recent Kurdish independence referendum as "Barzani's call to turn Iraq into a new bloodbath".

"The referendum, contrary to what [KRG leader Masoud] Barzani claims, will not bring stability to the region nor be useful for Kurds’ future," Celik said during a live televised interview with Turkish channel A Haber in Ankara, Anadolu Agency reported.

Celik emphasized that it will be a blow, not just to Kurdish people, but to the other ethnic minorities willing to live together in Iraq.

The referendum, which was boycotted by Turkmens and Arabs, was held on September 25 in Erbil, Dohuk and Sulaymaniyah provinces, the contested province of Kirkuk, Tuz Khurmatu district in Saladin province and Khanaqin district in Diyala province.

Celik said the referendum was conducted "in an unhealthy way," and called it "a disaster".

"To include Kirkuk in the poll is another suggestion from Barzani to turn Iraq into another bloodbath," the EU minister said.

The final results of the controversial poll, in which roughly 72 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots, are expected within three days.

Earlier President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey would take political, economic, commercial and security steps against the KRG.

Along with Baghdad, Turkey, the U.S., Iran and the UN have all spoken out against the poll, saying it will only distract from the ongoing fight against Daesh and further destabilize the region.