Controversial referendums on independence are scheduled in Iraqi Kurdistan on Sept. 25 and the Spanish region of Catalonia on Oct. 1. Both referendums place these secessionist regions on a collision course with their central governments and the international community, increasing the probability of conflict. What is the purpose of these referendums, and what is the strategy behind them?

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Woman waves flag during celebrations of the 25th anniversary of Somaliland’s declaration of independence in the capital, Hargeisa on May 18, 2016.

Despite the declaration, Somaliland is still considered an autonomous region of Somalia by the United Nations. But President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo is pushing hard for recognition of full sovereignty.

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A third faction of separatist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Reformed Indigenous People of Biafra; RE-IPOB, has emerged.

Recall that the crises rocking IPOB took a new twist yesterday, following an announcement by a splinter group, the Rebranded Indigenous People of Biafra, TRIPOB, renouncing the Biafra group.

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The new militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), on Thursday threatened again to declare self actualisation for the Niger Delta region and declare a republic in the region come October 1.

The threat is the second in the last two months with the attempt by a militant group known as Adaka Boro Avengers (ABA) aborted by the military and pressure from prominent Niger Deltans including former President Goodluck Jonathan.

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Kurdish YPG fighters in northern Syria

Syria’s Kurds on Thursday declared a federal region in areas under their control in the north of the conflict-riven country, but both the government and an opposition coalition rejected the move.

The announcement is likely to anger neighboring Turkey and has complicated peace talks in Geneva aimed at ending the five-year civil war.

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