BAGHDAD: Iraq’s Supreme Federal Court ruled Monday that no region or province can secede, as the government seeks to prevent a repeat of September’s Kurdish independence vote.

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, a court spokesman said.

Soon after, Iraqi premier Haider al-Abadi urged the semi-autonomous Kurdish region to abide by the court’s decision.

The ruling would strengthen Abadi’s hand in future dealings with the Kurds, putting an end to their push for independence, said Ahmad Younis, a Baghdad-based constitutional expert.