WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing an Iraq that is being ripped apart by sectarian violence and a divisive government, leaders of the country’s Kurdish region said Thursday they now believe they have a better chance than ever to break away and create an independent nation.

The semi-autonomous Kurdish region in Iraq’s north has for years threatened to separate from the rest of the country, and it has feuded with both the Shiite-led government in Baghdad over oil revenues and the Sunni tribes who claim authority over territory the Kurds believe is theirs.