Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani today announced the liberation of Sinjar by peshmerga forces and thanked the US and other coalition partners for their crucial air support to the operation.

In remarks to a group of journalists following the liberation of symbolic town, the President said, “Today I declare Sinjar liberated. I congratulate the people of Kurdistan, in particular the Yezidis. Sinjar has become a symbol of the oppression of the people of Kurdistan. We have delivered on our pledge to liberate Sinjar.”

The President added that other than the peshmerga forces and coalition air support, no other forces were involved in the operation. He also called on the international community and the Iraqi federal government to help the KRG rebuild Sinjar so that its people can return to their homes. 

US Vice President Joe Biden called Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani on Tuesday to congratulate him on the success of Peshmerga forces in recapturing the town of Sinjar form ISIS terrorists last week, and praised the bravery and sacrifices of the peshmerga. Mr. Biden reiterated United States’ commitment to continue to support the peshmerga forces. 

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with the commander of the United States Central Command General Lloyd Austin on Thursday in Erbil.

The President and the US general discussed the military campaign against the ISIS terrorists and preparations for liberating the city of Mosul. They also discussed the requirements and needs for the peshmerga forces. Both hailed the close cooperation between the US military and the peshmerga forces, after the recent successful joint operation to free 69 hostages from the hands of ISIS in the town of Hawija.

Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (Krp.org)- President Masoud Barzani received a United Nations delegation headed by Mr. Adama Dieng, the U.N. Secretary General's special adviser on prevention of genocide. During the meeting President Barzani and Mr. Dieng reviewed the latest updates on the war against the terrorists of the Islamic State and the role of the Peshmerga forces in battling this cruel enemy which poses a threat to the entirety of the civilization. President Barzani stated that the inevitability of victory against this enemy stems from the fact that this war is existential.

Mr. Dieng expressed the United Nations' appreciation for the Kurdistan Region and their role in providing assistance to the refugees from Syria and IDPs from within Iraq. He added that the United Nations will continue to support the Kurdistan Region as it strives towards the complete annihilation of the barbaric enemy of the Kurdistan Region.

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.

Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (Krp.org)- President Masoud Barzani received a United States delegation headed by ambassador Stuart Jones. During the meeting President Barzani and ambassador Jones discussed the latest military developments in the war on the terrorists of the Islamic State in Kurdistan, the rest of Iraq and beyond. Ambassador Jones expressed his appreciation for the well coordinated cooperation between the coalition and the Peshmerga forces.

President Barzani and ambassador Jones spoke of the importance of focusing on widening and strengthening the coalition so that there is speedier riddance of the 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)

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov,krd) - Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday welcomed South Korean Ambassador to Iraq, Mr. Jang Won-Jo.  Both expressed interest in furthering good relations.

Ambassador Jang commended the Kurdistan Region's people and government for accommodating and helping hundreds of thousands of displaced people despite severe financial constraints.

He also praised the role of Peshmerga forces for their effectiveness in fighting terrorism and providing security.

A primary purpose of this visit was to deliver humanitarian assistance for displaced people. 

Prime Minister Barzani and Ambassador Jang also discussed the security situation and relations with Baghdad.