Iraqi Kurds vote in independence referendum

ERBIL, IRAQ - SEPTEMBER 25: Ali Bapir, the leader of the Kurdistan Islamic Group (Komal) casts his ballot in the Kurdish independence referendum at a polling station in Erbil on September 25, 2017. Voting began early Monday in a controversial referendum on the secession of northern Iraq’s Kurdish region amid regional and international opposition to the poll. The non-binding referendum is taking place in areas under the control of the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq. According to data released by the KRG Independent High Electoral Commission, over 5 million people are expected to vote in the referendum. (Footage by Salih Bilici/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)