Kurdish soldiers in Bashiqa town (Photo: AFP/VNA)

A court spokesman said the ruling was a response to a request from the central government in Baghdad to put an end to any “misinterpretation” of the constitution and assert the unity of Iraq.

The court is responsible for settling disputes between Iraq’s central government and the country’s regions and provinces, including Kurdistan. Its decisions are final and mandatory for all parties.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said the court ruling has put an end to the Kurdish attempt to break away from Iraq and called on the region to abide by the court’s decision. He added that the government has taken necessary measures to preserve Iraq’s unity and prevent any secession attempt.