Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani today met with a visiting German government delegation in Salahaddin to discuss German military assistance to the Kurdistan Region peshmerga forces.

Heading the German delegation, German Deputy Minister of Defense Markus Grübel praised the leadership of President Barzani and the role of the Kurdistan peshmerga forces in taking the fight to the ISIS terrorist. He said the peshmerga are making sacrifices and fighting the ISIS terrorists on behalf of the whole world; he pledged continued German support for the KRG and the peshmerga forces.

President Barzani thanked the people and government of Germany for their military assistance, including training of peshmerga forces. He said German military assistance has been key to many peshmerga gains against the ISIS terrorists.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (cabinet.gov.krd) - Kurdistan Regional Government, KRG, Peshmerga Affairs Minister hailed the role of France for supporting Peshmerga forces, describing the recent visit of the ministry delegation to France, headed by him, and meetings with French President and senior officials as successful and productive.

KRG Minister of Peshmerga Affairs, Mustafa Sayid Qadir, in an exclusive interview with the KRG Website, said that France’s support for Kurdistan Region is very important, as it comes at a time when the Peshmerga forces are in a war with an international terrorist organization, the Islamic State, also known ISIS. Sayed Qader stated that it is the duty of all countries to support Peshmerga forces as ISIS is a threat to the entire world.

France Pledged Further Support

The Minister of Peshmerga Affairs said that the Peshmerga Affairs Ministry delegation, which included a number of field commanders from the battle fronts, briefed the French President and senior officials about the conditions of the war against ISIS.

“France has supported us until now by providing arms, ammunitions, and military advisors. French officials pledged more support, and we asked for further military aid, because we are fighting a continuous tough and unequal war”.

He highlighted that the meeting between the military delegation from the Kurdistan Region and the French President came at the initiative of French philosopher and writer, Bernard-Henri Levy, who visited the battle fronts in the Kurdistan Region last February, and vowed he will urge the highest authorities in France to provide better and more military assistance to Kurdistan Peshmerga forces.

Germany and Other Countries’ Role

KRG Minister of Peshmerga Affairs also shed light on the role of Germany in supporting Peshmerga forces, particularly by providing Milan anti-tank missile which played a significant role in repulsing terrorists’ attacks.

He said that German Defense Minister and several delegations have visited Kurdistan Region, and Germany is currently training the Peshmerga forces.

He also highlighted the participation of the Kurdistan Region delegation led by Kurdistan Region President, Masoud Barzani, at the Munich Conference on international security.

He said that Germany replied positively to several requests by the KRG Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs, expressing his wishes that Germany and other countries will invite delegations from the ministry.

Ninety five percent of the territories controlled by ISIS, liberated

KRG Minister of Peshmerga Affairs pointed out that more than 95 percent of the territories which were captured by ISIS in Kurdistan have now been liberated by the Peshmerga forces. However, he said, this does not mean that ISIS threat on Kurdistan has been definitively repulsed.

In another part of the interview, he outlined the duty and works of the Ministry of Peshmerga affairs, particularly during war with ISIS, saying that all Peshmerga forces, alongside with security, police, volunteers, retired forces and military units number 70 and 80, are under the ministry’s authority and led by one command, President of the Kurdistan Region, who is General Commander of Kurdistan Region Military Forces. Any force outside this framework, which may belong to any side or party, is considered illegal according to the KRG and Kurdistan Region’s overall policy.

KRG Minister of Peshmerga Affairs said that there was a plan for those Yazidi, Christian, Kakayee, Turkman and Shabak citizens who showed interest to form military units to defend their areas like Peshmerga forces. Those unites were formed within the framework of the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs, and have been trained by the ministry and sent to the front lines.

He reiterated that Kurdistan Region does not need any other force.

Reorganizing Peshmerga Forces

Reorganization and reunification of all the Peshmerga forces under the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs authority have been one of the main objectives of the KRG eighth cabinet. 

Mustafa Sayd Qadir stressed that the goal of this plan is to restructure Kurdistan military forces “as a national and governmental force, not based on political party affiliation. Moreover, we want to achieve that any member of the Kurdistan Peshmerga Forces, from any religious, ethnic and political background could be able to reach the highest military rank.”

He pointed out that, despite slowing down of the reunification process of the Peshmerga forces due to war against ISIS, little, but significant, steps have been taken.

KRG Peshmerga Minister considered that the prompt implementation of this task has now become a necessity in order to eliminate the threats which face the Kurdistan Region, and create a one united stance, away from religious, ethnic, and political differences.

Sayd Qadir denied that any political party has tried to hamper the reunification of the Peshmerga forces, saying that some statements, which have been made, reflect only individual opinions.

Reassuring citizens

Regarding the current situation on the battle fronts, Mustafa Sayd Qadir said that ISIS terrorists attack Peshmerga positions on a daily basis, but Peshmerga forces stop their advances.

“Now, Peshmerga forces have learned the tactics of the terrorist of ISIS, and I reassure Kurdistan citizens that the Peshmerga forces are capable to defend Kurdistan Region. They have shown that whenever a security problem occurred, they acted rapidly and restored security”.

Liberation of Sinjar

KRG Minister of Peshmerga Affairs stated that there is a plan to liberate Sinjar, “but it has been postponed until the time that we can be sure that the town could be defended and kept away from the range of ISIS shelling, for that its population can return back safely.”

He reiterated that the anticipated operation for liberation of Mosul will also have a significant impact on the process of liberation of Sinjar. The minister pointed out that defeating ISIS in Mosul will further consolidate stability and security of the Kurdistan Region.

He stressed that Mosul will not be liberated by Peshmerga forces alone.

Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (krp.org)- President Masoud Barzani received a United Nations delegation headed by Mr. Nickolay Mladenov, the Special Representative of the U.N. Secretary General for Iraq. During the meeting, President Barzani and Mr. Mladenov discussed the latest political and security developments in Iraq and the most recent military advanced against the terrorists of the Islamic State by the Kurdistan Region and Iraqi forces.

President Barzani stated that the fight against the terrorists of the Islamic State remains of the utmost priority to the Kurdistan Region. On the matter of relations with Baghdad, President Barzani expressed his optimism and added that the differences will soon be resolved between Erbil and Baghdad.

Special Representative Mladenov agreed on the urgency of the fight against the terrorists of the Islamic State and the need for even stronger collective efforts to defeat the terrorists. Furthermore, Mr. Mladenov commended the Peshmerga forces and President Barzani for their latest successes against the terrorists.

Mr. Mladenov took the opportunity to bid his farewell as he will soon take on a new task in Jerusalem. President Barzani expressed his gratitude for Mr. Nladenov's cooperation and wished him continued success in his new task.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with Iraqi President Fuad Masom today in Salahaddin. The two presidents discussed the fight against the ISIS terrorists, the role of the peshmerga forces in this fight, and relations between Erbil and Baghdad.

The Iraqi President commended the recent successes of the Peshmerga forces against the ISIS terrorists and expressed his condolences to all those who have sacrificed their lives in this fight.

On the relations between Erbil and Baghdad, the two underlined the importance of commitment, by both sides, to the Erbil-Baghdad deal on oil exports and revenue sharing. President Barzani stated that the KRG would continue to support the new Iraqi government and the political process in the country.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani welcomed Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Rob Nicholson in Erbil today. In a meeting between the two, they discussed the fight against the ISIS terrorists, the military and humanitarian assistance by Canada to the KRG, and enhancing bilateral relations between the two sides.

Foreign Minister Rob Nicholson commended the bravery of the peshmerga forces in fighting the ISIS terrorists. He said as part of the international coalition, Canada would continue to support the KRG with military assistance and added that his country is committed to the security of the people of Kurdistan.

President Barzani thanked Canada for its steadfast support for Kurdistan in this fight, adding that the people of Kurdistan are grateful for this support.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani welcomed Turkey’s National Defense Minister İsmet Yılmaz in Erbil today to discuss bilateral cooperation and the fight against ISIS terrorists.

The Turkish defense minister reiterated his country’s commitment to support the Kurdistan Region in the fight against the ISIS terrorists. He added that Turkey would continue to provide training for the peshmerga forces and also help with supplying humanitarian aid. The President and the Turkish defense minister also discussed efforts currently underway to defeat the ISIS terrorists and liberate areas under their control. 

President Barzani stated that there are many opportunities for mutual cooperation.  He reaffirmed KRG's support for the peace process underway in Turkey. 

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq (gov.krd) - Kurdistan Regional Government Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, last Thursday received the Turkish Defence Minister, Ismet Yilmaz and his accompanying delegation in Erbil.

The situation in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq and the fight against the Islamic State terrorist organisation, ISIS, were the main topics discussed in the meeting, which was also attended by KRG Minister of Peshmerga, Minister of Interior and government Spokesperson.

Mr. Yilmaz said that they conducted a field visit to the Peshmerga training centres in Soran district, adding that Turkey will further develop the training centres and that his government will continue to provide humanitarian and military assistance to the Kurdistan Region.

Turkish Defence Minister also pointed out that they look at the security of the Kurdistan Region the same way they look at their own security and consider the danger ISIS poses as a threat to Turkey as well.

Deputy Prime Minister Talabani expressed his gratitude to the Turkish government for its assistance, expressing his pleasure at the level of relations between both sides which has witnessed significant progress over the past few years.

Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq, (gov.krd) - As part of the Kurdistan Regional Government delegation’s visit to the Vatican, Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani and his accompanying delegation yesterday met the Vatican Foreign Minister, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.

The two sides discussed bilateral relations between the Kurdistan Region and the Vatican. Foreign Minister Archbishop Gallagher said that the Vatican closely observes and follows up the situation in the Kurdistan and the wider region. He added that he is glad to hear about the situation in the Kurdistan Region and the wider Middle East from the KRG delegation.

The talks focused on the current war against the Islamic State terrorist organization, ISIS, and Kurdistan Peshmerga Forces progress on the frontline. The situation of Iraqi internally displaced people and Syrian refugees, who fled the violent repression of ISIS and took refuge in the Kurdistan Region, was also highlighted in the meeting.

The Prime Minister reiterated that further assistance from donor countries and the international community are needed to help the refugees and IDPs.

The Vatican’s Foreign Minister praised Kurdistan Regional Government for providing shelter and assistance to the displaced people and refugees. He also praised the role played by the Peshmerga Forces in defending all the people of the region, regardless of their ethnicity or religion, against terrorism.

The KRG delegation included Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs, Kamal Muslim, Head of the Department of Foreign Relations, Minister Falah Mustafa, KRG spokesperson, Minister Safeen Dizayee and the KRG Representative to Italy Ms Rezan Hama Salih.