A planned independence referendum in Kurdish northern Iraq is a matter of national security for Turkey and Ankara will never accept a change of status in Iraq or Syria, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said, Reuters reports.
"An action that will change the status in Syria and Iraq is an unacceptable result for Turkey, and we will do what is necessary," Yildirim said.
President Tayyip Erdogan has threatened to impose sanctions against Kurdish northern Iraq, saying the government would consider counter-measures against the vote at a cabinet meeting later on Friday.