Kurdistan will hold presidential and parliamentary elections on November 1 to reinforce leadership before the next step in gaining independence. President Massoud Barzani has said he will not run for re-election; his term was to have ended in 2013 but was extended. Also, Parliament recently met for the first time since it was suspended two years ago.
Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi called on Kurdistan to share control of disputed areas, such as Kirkuk.
Iraq halted foreign currency trades to Kurdistan, particularly those in U.S. dollars.
The United Nations fears that 78,000 civilians may be trapped in the Hawija area. Over 12,000 have escaped the fighting so far. Security forces have also discovered several mass graves. Meanwhile, another 8,500 refugees have been displaced in Anbar province.
Former President Jalal Talabani has died of a cerebral hemorrhage. The 84-year-old was still a key figure in Kurdistan where he was the leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.
At least 17 were killed and three were wounded:
In Baghdad, a bomb in the Arab Jabour district killed one tribal fighter and wounded three more.
Eleven militants were killed in Hamdaniya Triangle.
In Tal Afar, three suicide bombers were killed.
A suicide bomber was killed in Hadhar.
A suicide bomber died in Ayadiya.
