The Turkish parliament today approved a one-year extension of a mandate to use troops abroad in Syria and Iraq, two days before Iraq's Kurdish region is due to hold a controversial independence referendum. The bill was overwhelmingly passed. <br/><br/>Defence Minister Nurettin Canikli said the extension was intended to protect Turkey from threats, adding that the Kurdish Regional Government's planned vote on Monday was a threat to national security. The mandate had been due to run out on October 30.<br/>'<br/><br/>Ankara has repeatedly warned Arbil of the heavy cost of the poll, while Iraq, Iran and the United States have urged the KRG against the non-binding September 25 vote.<br/>'<br/>Canikli said the vote demonstrated an abdication of reason and Turkey viewed any referendum like this as null and void. Earlier, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim warned Ankara's actions in response to the vote would have diplomatic, political, economic and security dimensions. <br/>