Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani today met with a senior US delegation that included Brett McGurk, US Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL, Stuart Jones, US Ambassador to Iraq, and US military officials.

Mr McGurk updated the President on the steps that the US is considering to further help the peshmerga forces with military supplies and training. They also discussed preparations for the recapturing of Mosul from ISIS by the Iraqi army, the peshmerga forces, and the international coalition. Both sides stressed the need for a prior political agreement between the KRG and Baghdad on the running of Mosul after its liberation.

They also talked about the situation in Syria, including the idea of a federal arrangement for country in the future, and the dangers of the escalation of violence between Turkey and the PKK. 

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani today met with US Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL Ambassador Brett McGurk and US Ambassador to Iraq Stuart Jones, to discuss the progress of the fight against ISIS terrorists and challenges facing the KRG.

The President and the US officials lauded the strong partnership between the peshmerga forces and the US military, especially in light of the recent successful operation by joint special forces that led to the rescuing of 69 hostages from ISIS in the town of Hawija, south of Kirkuk. 

Ambassador McGurk described this successful operation as yet another indication of the strong relationship between the peshmerga forces and the US forces, and commended the leadership role of President Barzani. He added that the US would continue to offer support to the peshmerga forces in the fight against ISIS.
President Barzani thanked the United States for its steadfast support to Kurdistan and to the peshmerga forces. 

President Barzani and the visiting US officials also discussed preparations for the liberation of Mosul from ISIS and political and security developments in the country.

Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (Krp.org)- President Masoud Barzani welcomed a United States military and diplomatic delegation headed by General John Allen, the Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL. General Allen was accompanied by a number of officials from both the departments of State and Defense. The meeting began by Mr. Allen expressing his acknowledgment of the sacrifices of the Peshmerga forces in the current global effort against the terrorists of the Islamic State, adding that that has even further strengthened the relations between the Kurdistan Region and the United States. 

President Barzani who welcomed the delegation with the presence of the Chancellor of the Kurdistan Region Security Council, Mr. Masrour Barzani as well as a number of military personnel including the Minister of Peshmerga Affairs, spoke of the latest military developments in the war against the terrorists of the Islamic State.

President Barzani and General Allen discussed the latest events concerning the efforts against the Islamic State including Russia's involvement where President Barzani reiterated his position of welcoming any help against the terrorists and called for more cooperation between the partners in the U.S.-led coalition against the terrorists of the Islamic State. 

President Barzani repeated on behalf of the people of the Kurdistan Region his appreciation for the support from the United States and other allies in the war against the Islamic State, and added that this war will end with the victory of the free world and the defeat of the cruel terrorists of the Islamic State.

Fourth major offensive in west of Kirkuk clears more than 140 square kilometres. Peshmerga Forces secure Ghara Heights, push ISIL beyond the river between Ghara Heights and Mt. Varies, and secure additional stretch of Kirkuk - Samarra highway

From 1900hrs on September 29 to 0530hrs on September 30, International Coalition warplanes targeted dozens of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) positions ahead of another major ground offensive led by Peshmerga forces.

The objectives were to reach Ghara Heights, located West of Mt. Bawita, secure additional stretch of the Kirkuk-Samarra Highway, push ISIL terrorists further South of the river West of Mt. Bawita, and further diminish ISIL's ability to threaten the Kurdistan Region.

Peshmerga forces began their ground offensive at 0600hrs. By 1400hrs, they reached and controlled Ghara Heights. This strategic position overlooks several villages South of Mt. Batiwa still controlled by ISIL terrorists. Today's advance has pushed ISIL terrorists further South of the river, further diminishing ISIL's ability to attack Peshmerga forces and putting additional pressure on ISIL in Hawija.

The offensive, launched from three fronts West of Kirkuk, included approximately 3,500 Peshmerga. More than 140 square kilometres were cleared, including the following areas: Meziriya, Gubebe, Seda, Mohammed Khalil, Qows Kurd, Tl Werd, Khelef and Mansuriya.

During the offensive ISIL terrorists were seeing fleeing the battlefield towards Hawija and surrounding areas.

International Coalition warplanes targeted 30 ISIL positions during the ground offensive, including three Humvees, three pick-up trucks and 1 VBIED. At least 40 ISIL terrorists were killed.

This is the fourth major ground offensive near Kirkuk since March 2015, clearing more than 670 square kilometres.

Office of The Chancellor
Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC)

At 0530hrs on September 11, Peshmerga forces launched a large-scale offensive in South of Kirkuk to further weaken ISIL's ability to threaten the Kurdistan Region. By 1315hrs, over 150 square kilometres were reclaimed, including the following villages: Albu Mohammed, Albu Yusif, Smud, Dlati Bchuk, Dlati Gowra, Sab'nisan, Tl Raba', Zenqare and Gm Bus.

During the offensive, Peshmerga forces successfully took control of the strategic Dusera Heights, located South of Daquq, and an additional stretch of the Kirkuk-Baghdad Highway, further limiting ISIL's freedom of movements.

International Coalition warplanes targeted dozens of ISIL positions from early hours of the morning and provided close air support to Peshmerga forces. The offensive, which was launched from two fronts South of Daquq, included approximately 1,500 Peshmerga and resulted in killing at least 40 ISIL terrorists.

One VBIED was destroyed by an International Coalition airstrike.

Counter-IED teams are now clearing the heavily-mined area.

In the last six months more than 530 square kilometres South of Kirkuk have been cleared as a result of four large-scale offensives.

Office of The Chancellor
Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC)

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday received the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iraq and Iran and Deputy Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter-ISIL, Mr. Brett McGurk, and his accompanying military and diplomatic delegation.

The security situation in Iraq in general and anticipated liberation campaigns of Anbar and Mosul in particular were discussed.

They also discussed maintaining coalition airstrikes in support of Peshmerga forces, and also in Anbar and Hasaka, (Syria).

The U.S delegation emphasised the need for effective mechanisms to prevent radical jihadists joining the Islamic State terrorist organization, ISIS, as well as ways to assist Sunnis to confront ISIS.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his hope for coalition forces to further train Iraqi military, police, and Peshmerga forces, and extend military operations to accelerate eradicating the ISIS terrorist organization and normalise the region.

Regarding the relations between Erbil and Baghdad, Prime Minister Barzani reiterated that the current situation is not sustainable.  He said Baghdad continues to reduce funding the Region in breach of last December’s agreement and the Iraq Federal Budget Law 2015 at a time when the Region is serving the needs of nearly two million displaced people and fighting ISIS.

He noted that if the Constitution was fully respected three years ago, Iraq would never have seen these days.

Reporter: Dear listener, this is an interview with Mr. Mohammad Seddiq Ahmad, care taker of Iraqi Kurdistan mission in Iran. Mr. Ahmad, thank you for having this interview with us. As the first question Mr. Ahmad, earlier the leader the ISIL terrorist group has threatened that future goal is to capture Baghdad. In your opinion Mr. Ahmad, how much is this threat close to reality and is the ISIL capable enough in terms of equipment and manpower to put into action it treats?

Mohammad Seddiq Ahmad: Of course there has always been threat, but regarding to recent clashes between ISIL and the Kurdish Pishmerga forces and the heavy losses of ISIL forces, I think military power of ISIL has diminished. It means it doesn’t have the power and facility to launch a broad attack to a police, like Baghdad.  Capture of Baghdad is not an easy job and ISIL forces cannot do it. For besides the Iraqi Army there are popular forces. In my opinion the threat for capture Baghdad is not a real threat.

Reporter: You have red in the news that Yazidi’s of the northern of Iraq have evacuated the region after a number of them have been a kidnapped. Later we have that Kurdish Pishmerga manage to break the siege of Sanjar region which was used refused by Yazudis. Please tell us, how is the situation of the Yazidis at the moment?

Mohammad Seddiq Ahmad: fortunately, most of the people who lived in the mountainous region of Sanjar have been transformed to Dohuk province and stationed there. A small number of them have remained in the mountain and being given relief work. At the moment, the way is safe and secure to access them and assistance has begun and there is almost no problem. As per to the reports, a number of Izadi Kurds including women and children have been savaged captivated it. Of course, the figures differ. That is to say that we cannot present an exact figure. But what is certain is that some of the Izadi’s women have been taken as captive and will serve maiden according to illusive believes of the ISIL. The Iraqi Kurdistan government and its allies have taken all measures to defend Izadis and we hope that condition will turn in such a way that the captive, God willing, will turn to their families.

Reporter: as the last question Mr. Ahmad, the European Union approved they be all to send weapons for quenching terrorist in Iraq which in the case of west admitting the terrorist nature of the ISIL as a threat to the region and to the entire world. What can be expected from the world community which regard to the current development in Iraq?

Mohammad Seddiq Ahmad: Basically countering terrorism connot be limited to one country. Terrorism is global threat and international community should take wide measure to counter it. The EU and the Security Council statement were too helpful and effective moves in this connection to create the consensus, for struggling against terrorism, specially cutting the ISIL financial sources, blocking their access to these sources and prevent in their commutation are the measures can be affective.

We think that UN, EU, world community, regional countries, progressive forces that support democracy in Iraq should get united to eradicate and sinister phenomenon of terrorism in the region. This phenomenon is not threatful just to Iraqi and Syrian peoples, but it is a threat for the entire region. Furthermore, fortunately, there is a good unity on the regional forces and even inside Iraq to counter ISIL threats and has yielded positive threats. Withdrawal of ISIL forces in the recent days and staunch resistance of the pishmerga forces and with the support of the US air forces and the assistance of allies Kurdish and Iraqi people and have had positive results and we think the ISIL threat will not be a lasting threat. In sum, with the consensus that we expect the political sin of Iraq and the evidence that we witness of the designate of the new candidate for Prime minister and unity of Iraq people enforces supporting freedom democracy an law in the country and the region, God willing, we will be witness to removal of this threat from Iraq the region and the world. I would like to say that in any case there has always been threat in the region and the enemy should not be underestimated in the world. But, considering the recent defeat, inflicted on ISIL in north western front and the enervation of these terrorist groups forces, basically their military strategy will be focus on attack to preserve themselves. Therefore, the threat against Baghdad and other region can be evaluated in this view. Generally I do not think ISIL terrorists have such a power.

Reporter: Thank you for having this interview with us and appreciate you insight.       

http://english.irib.ir/analysis/interviews/item/194585-iraqi-kurdistan-envoy-in-iran-isil,-a-threat-to-region-and-the-whole-world