"This vote is for a secular state to prevent Sharia law forced on us by the Shia government of Baghdad...This is a cry for joy but also fear about what lies ahead", says Kae Bahar, who returned to Kurdistan to vote and to explore the sentiment surrounding the idea of independence. According to the Peshmerga, Iraqi-backed groups such as Hashdi Shabi pose more of a threat to Kurdish freedom than ISIS. Officers in this militia confirm that they are prepared to fight for a united Iraq. "Iraq is kept together with the blood of our martyrs and it will stay as one because we are the children of Ali who will fight for it." Many regard the USA as the greatest obstacle. "We Kurds believed Americans were our best allies... It is incredible how today our people are calling for freedom and they oppose it."