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.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with the US Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL, General John Allen, in Salahaddin today.

General Allen congratulated the recent military successes by peshmerga forces against the ISIS terrorists and commended the leadership and personal supervision of President Barzani in these operations, in particular the breaking of the Mount Sinjar siege and the liberation of the towns of Zummar and Rabia. He added that other countries in the international coalition against ISIS are also all very impressed by the bravery and the sacrifices of the peshmerga forces in the fight against ISIS.

General Allen welcomed the recent military cooperation between Erbil and Baghdad, and reiterated that the United States would continue to support the peshmerga forces.

President Barzani thanked the Unites States, and other coalition countries, for their military support for the peshmerga forces, adding that the people of Kurdistan are very encouraged to have a good friend like the United States behind them. He said that the recent terror attacks in Paris prove that terrorist is a global threat and it needs a global response.

The President and the US Envoy, who was accompanied by US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Brett McGurk and US Ambassador to Iraq Stuart Jones, also discussed ways of further cooperation in the fight against terrorism, and the military requirements of the peshmerga forces.