Washington, September 26 (QNA) - The United States said that an independence referendum Monday for Iraqi Kurdistan to break away from Baghdad will "increase instability." The United States is deeply disappointed that the Kurdistan Regional Government decided to conduct today a unilateral referendum on independence, including in areas outside of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region," State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

"The fight against ISIS is not over, and extremist groups are seeking to exploit instability and discord. We believe all sides should engage constructively in a dialogue to improve the future of all Iraqis," Nauert added.

"The United States supports a united, federal, democratic and prosperous Iraq," she added. (QNA)