Iraqi Kurds Back Independence By 92% in Referendum

Al Jazeera: Iraqi Kurds overwhelmingly back split from Baghdad

As Erbil-Baghdad tensions soar, regional election officials say 92 percent of voters choose 'Yes' in non-binding poll.

Iraqi Kurds overwhelmingly voted in favour of a split from Iraq, election officials said on Wednesday, as tensions soared between Erbil and Baghdad following a contested referendum.

The "Yes" vote accounted for 92 percent of those who took part in Monday's poll.

Turnout was 72 percent of the more than five million eligible voters, according to the electoral commission.

Al Jazeera's Hoda Abdel-Hamid, reporting from Erbil, said the announcement was in line with people's expectations in the region.

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