The United States says it "strongly opposes" the planned referendum for independence by Iraqi Kurds, a statement from the State Department said.

According to the Iraqi constitution, the Kurds have a right to hold the referendum, Iraq's Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani said on Wednesday. He also stressed that the region refuses to withdraw to the “green line” Baghdad demands.

Meanwhile, an official source in Saudi Arabia commented on the referendum, saying that with current conditions experienced by the region and the risks it faces, it would be best to avoid new crises that may result in negative repercussions, political and security.

source: Alarabiya