Turkish Foreign Ministry on Wednesday issued a travel warning for the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) provinces of Erbil, Dohuk and Sulaymaniyah.

The independent referendum held on Monday increased possible security risks in the region, and Turkish citizens should leave there as soon as possible if they are not obliged to stay, said the ministry in a written statement.

Earlier Wednesday, the Turkey's consulate in Erbil, Iraq has announced that flights between Turkey and northern Iraq would be suspended from Friday.

The moves came amid rising tensions between Baghdad and the Kurdish region over the controversial independence referendum in the KRG-controlled areas in northern Iraq.

Turkish government has voiced strong opposition to the referendum, while warning of taking "large-scale sanction" against the KRG if it seeks independence.

source: Xinhua