Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi  (Photo: Reuters)

Iraq’s Kurdish region is preparing for a highly controversial referendum on its independence on Monday. In a televised address on Sunday, Abadi vowed that the Iraqi will not allow a return to the “dark times” of the past, promising that he will also take the “necessary measures” to protect the unity of Iraq. Abadi said that making a unilateral decision which could affect the unity of Iraq and its security and the security of the region through a referendum on separation is unconstitutional.