Historic voting on the referendum to carve a separate country is underway in Iraqi Kurdistan despite regional opposition. Approximately five million people are expected to cast their votes today. <br/><br/>The referendum on the decision to separate from Baghdad is historic but non binding. Nevertheless, it is a reflection of the intent of the Kurdish population and a handle to the Kurd leaders to enter into a dialogue with the Iraqi regime. <br/><br/>The vote will cover not only areas in the official, semi-autonomous region but also disputed regions where the Kurdish forces, known as the peshmerga, have pushed into following their largely successful campaign against ISIS.<br/><br/>Kurds are one of the largest ethnic group who occupy a similar geographical area spanning huge mountainous region across Iran , Iraq ,Syria , Turkey and part of Armenia .<br/><br/>Meanwhile, Turkey while stating that it will not recognize the referendum has warned that it will take 'all measures' under international law if today's referendum generates any threat to its national security. <br/><br/>Iran has blocked all flights to and fro from the autonomous Kurdish area in Iraq. In a televised address on Sunday night , Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abildi said that the referendum is 'unconstitutional' and that it threatens the 'peaceful co existence' among Iraqis.<br/>'<br/>There are concerns in the region that this referendum may create instability in the region. US and the other western powers have also given similar warnings.<br/><br/>Initial results are expected by tomorrow while the final outcome will be known in a weeks' time.<br/><br/>Kurds were given hope of their own nation after World War I when the 1920 Treaty of Sevres carved up the Ottoman Empire and proposed a state for Kurdistan. Disagreements and subsequent treaties meant that never happened. Kurds have also been fighting for autonomy in Turkey for a long time .