BAGHDAD — Iraq's highest court has ordered a halt to the Sept. 25 Kurdish independence referendum, saying it wants to examine complaints that the vote would be unconstitutional. The Kurds, however, don't appear to be backing down.

The Federal Supreme Court's order Sept. 18 followed a vote Sept. 12 vote by a majority of parliament that rejected the referendum. Parliament issued a decision stating that Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi should take all measures to preserve Iraq's unity and begin a dialogue to address outstanding issues.

Parliamentarian Nazim al-Saadi of the State of Law Coalition described the referendum as contrary to the Iraqi Constitution and the principles of the political process, in which the Kurds are a key player. “The referendum is legally void, which makes the government responsible for preventing it by all means and all powers,” he said.

“The rebellion of the Kurds represents a flagrant threat to security and political stability in the country," Saadi told Al-Monitor. "The Baghdad government has multiple cards it may use to pressure Kurdistan and prevent the referendum.”