Jubilant Kurds celebrate referendum victory

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – People have poured into the streets across Kurdistan to celebrate the results of the independence referendum. Preliminary results released on Wednesday revealed that 92.73 percent of voters support independence.

In the capital Erbil, people gathered in front of the citadel, waving the Kurdistan flag and chanting biji Kurdistan, long live Kurdistan, and bale bo serbexoi Kurdistan, yes for Kurdistan independence.

 

Many people in Sulaimani also took to the streets to express their joy for the ‘Yes’ victory.

 

“The love of the homeland has made the people of Kurdistan to pour into the streets and express their happiness for the success of the ‘Yes’ vote with 92 percent,” said a Kurdish man, believing the success of the referendum was “the fruit of the unity of the Kurdish parties.”

Wrapping his head in a Kurdistan flag while carrying another, a Kurdish man said “This is a historical day. I am congratulating myself first and all Kurds.”

A Kurd from Rojava, northern Syria, was among the revelers, calling for unity. “I am from Rojava and I hope all Kurds live as brothers and be united.”

A Kurdish woman in the city of Duhok urged the international community not to leave Kurds in limbo after the success of the vote.

 

 

“I am calling on all the nations of the world, especially the US which is the main supporter of democracy, to back the Kurds.”

 

The people of Soran town in Erbil province were celebrating the 'Yes' victory in the streets.