Turkey: Turkish tanks drill on Iraq border ahead of Kurdish independence vote

Turkish tanks undertook military drills on the Turkish-Iraqi border, close to the Habur border crossing, Monday, one week ahead of the Kurdish independence referendum.
A total of 100 military vehicles took part in the drills which began on Monday. According to the Turkish army, they will last until September 26, one day after the Kurdish independence referendum is set to take place across the border.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has stated that the referendum is a matter of national security, warning that Turkey will take necessary steps in retaliation.
Iraqi Kurdistan is set to vote on September 25 in an independence referendum that is opposed by Baghdad as well as neighbouring Iran and Turkey.