British analyst criticizes referendum in Iraqi Kurdistan Region

'Look at the smirk on [Benjamin] Netanyahu's face, as he supports Kurdish separatism. It's about splitting up Middle East states so that there can be no effective opposition to the expansion of Israel into the lands of others,' British political commentator Rodney Shakespeare told the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) correspondent in London in an exclusive interview.

Professor Shakspeare, who has several articles on the Middle East affairs, with a special focus on Iran, Bahrain and Syria, criticized US double standard towards the referendum by saying, 'The USA plays both sides. In practice they implement Israeli policy.'

'The risk of the referendum' he said, 'is of great disorder in the region and violent repression of the Kurds.'

'Possible occupation of Erbil by Baghdad and possibility of war as Turkey intervenes in Iraq’ are part of the consequences to the recent referendum, whilst Israel regime is the only ‘beneficiary’ to this conflict,' said the professor.

The Kurds, who have ruled over an autonomous region within Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein, held a referendum on September 25 despite strong opposition of Baghad.

While Iraq has lately been involved in counter-terrorism operations against the terrorist group of Daesh (ISIS) in its western areas, it is now facing new challenges over holding a referendum in its Kurdistan Region which is governed by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), with the city of Erbil as its capital.
Efforts are underway both from inside and outside Iraq to resolve the existing problem between Baghdad and Erbil.
Iraq considers the vote unconstitutional, especially as it was held not only within the Kurdish Region itself but also on disputed territory held by Kurds elsewhere in northern Iraq.

Iran and major European countries strongly opposed the decision to hold the referendum, which they described as destabilizing at a time when all sides are still fighting against Daesh terrorists.

Asked about his opinion on the role of Iran in fighting against terrorism and also commenting on the beheading of the Iranian military advisor Mohsen Hojajji by the Daesh Takfiri terrorists in Syria, Professor Shakespeare said, 'Mohsen Hojajji was a man of honor, a real martyr. He was totally committed to fighting Daesh.'

'It is outrageous', he said that 'Trump talks about Iran supporting terrorism when Iran is doing the real fighting against Daesh and the Americans have been arming and supporting Daesh.'

Shakespeare added, 'Nobody should rest until Mohsen Hojajji's torture and death is avenged.'
Hojajji, 25, a military advisor known in Iran as the holy shrine defender, was taken hostage in August 7 and beheaded two days later on camera by Daesh terrorists when the terrorist group attacked Syrian troops deployed in the borders with Iraq seizing an opportunity made by a US strike against the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashd al-Shaabi).

His body along with a number of the martyrs from the Lebanese Hezbollah Resistance Movement were received from Daesh terrorists on August 31 based on a ceasefire deal made between the terrorist group and Hezbollah.

Iran's military advisors are in Syria to protect the country's holy sites against terrorist attacks.

The holy shrine of the sister of Imam Hussein (A.S.) is located in Damascus.

Following a US strike against the Iraqi Popular Forces (Hashd al-Shaabi), Daesh (ISIS terrorist group) seized the opportunity to attack the Syrian troops deployed along the borders with Iraq in which Mohsen Hojajji, an Iranian military advisor was taken hostage by the terrorist group elements and beheaded later on camera.

Reporter: Hadi Naderi, IRNA correspondent in London

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