Iraqi Kurdistan’s 25 September independence vote has unleashed a wave of chaos, including the highly disruptive and economically costly suspension of international flights to Kurdistan’s airports. But amidst the heated rhetoric the semi-autonomous region’s oil exports are continuing.

As expected, Kurds defied international calls to cancel the independence referendum and voted overwhelmingly to split from Iraq. Official figures put turnout, including from areas disputed with Baghdad and not officially under KRG control, at 72%, with 92.7% voting in favor of independence. (CONTINUED - 659 WORDS)