Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with the commander of the United States Central Command General Lloyd Austin and the US Ambassador to Iraq Mr. Stuart Jones in Erbil on Tuesday.

The President and the US general discussed the military campaign currently underway against the ISIS terrorists and the military support of the US to the peshmerga forces. President Barzani thanked the United States and other coalition countries for their military support for the KRG. He also thanked the United States for its military support for the people of the besieged Syrian Kurdish city of Kobani, who have been bravely fighting off the ISIS terrorists.

General Austin recognized the role of the peshmerga forces in the fight against the ISIS terrorists and reaffirmed continued US support for the peshmerga. In particular, he praised the military successes and gains made by the peshmerga forces around Mosul in recent weeks.

President Barzani and General Austin discussed the requirements and needs for the peshmerga and they both underline the need for continued support for the people of Kobani.

Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (Krp.org)- President Masoud Barzani received a military delegation from the United Kingdom headed by Mr. Michael Fallon, the Secretary of State for Defense. During the meeting President Barzani and Secretary Fallon spoke of the latest military and security developments in the Kurdistan Region and their impact on the larger Middle East region and the world.

President Barzani expressed his gratitude to the government of the United Kingdom for their supportive stances both generally and following the ISIS crisis particularly, adding that the Kurdistan Region is in need of all international support as it fights the terrorists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

Secretary Fallon stated that the government of the United Kingdom will continue to assist the Kurdistan Region with military aid as it fights ISIS and that the war against ISIS is indeed a larger idealogical conflict between the free world and radicalism.

President Barzani and Secretary Fallon also spoke of the latest political developments between the the Federal government in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region and how all outstanding issues must be resolved as soon as possible.

The representative of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) of Iraq in Tehran denied Iraqi Kurds demand to be independent of Iraq and said: in order to destroy Kurds some raise such concerns. Nazam Dabbagh in talk with foreign political reporter of Iran Students News Agency (ISNA) in a response to question concerning why Israel Regime support Kurdistan dependent of Iraq, stating that they have never claimed independence of Iraq said: we believe the conditions have now occurred in Iraq is the policy result from the legal government.

These new circumstances in Iraq have given the region to Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS) generating dangers for Kurdistan region. When we faced with weak and fragile reaction of Iraq army confronting ISIS we could not allow ISIS to overwhelm different parts of Kurdistan; thus Pishmerga rushed to recapture the occupied regions and did and we have supported them and will.

He said: presently the occupied regions under quarrel are gained the control by Pishmerga. We have always believed these regions Kirkuk in special belongs to Kurds or else there would be any evident or documents to disclaim this issue then it would be a new claim. In these regions Turks, Sunnis and Shias live and that is why this suggestion have been made that referendum or voting should have taken part so that people themselves could have given their opinions. If one is not afraid of the political process this referendum can put an end to this concern.

Dabbagh specified: the presence of Pishmerga in the regions under quarrel to react ISIS forces has no conflict with the nature and job of the army, they present there to establish security of the region. The representative of KRG concerning being federal of Iraq said: I am sorry that some say the conditions are not appropriate for Iraq to be federal. Nowadays that ISIS is a danger for Iraq all different groups should put their differences aside since without dissolving the differences the danger of ISIS will continue. Firstly Kurds, Shias and Sunnis should be unified, secondly the difference generating the problems should be dissolved otherwise even if even to fire ISIS another ISIS will be formed very soon.

We observe that this terrorist cell has got so impudent that it has given itself the epithet of Islamic caliphate, and we have to offer our congratulation to Sunni for this. Stating that we criticize the way of managing the country during past years he said in addition to this unfortunately in Baghdad a person makes decision and this is for Mr. Maliki and his way of managing country.

In a response to a question concerning current condition the priority is to hold a referendum in the quarreled regions and the concern of being federal or from a parliament and to pursue these cases through law he said: we believe that these concerns should be advanced step by step. Referendum or to carry out a part of article 140 of the Constitutes has no any conflict with the formation of Parliament and state of the president and the prime minister. The representative of KRG in Tehran added: new Kurdish members of Iraq Parliament have gone to Baghdad to participate in and present in first session of the Parliament, thus if one claimed the independence of Iraq he would not go to take part. Dabbagh stated: we desire a cooperative government and being real of those who have not been success in managing the country. About the prime ministry of Iraq not only Kurds but the majority of Iraq Shia and Sunni also have the same opinion concerning the entrance of new candidate.

The representative of KRG about Israel support from Kurdistan independence of Iraq, stating every country are seeking for the security and welfare as well as Iraq unity, and the rights of tribes are greeted specified: sure for Kurdistan the most benefit are supplied through the relations among neighbors.

Dabbagh said: if we can have full independence, why not, we do welcome it, but in current situation Kurdistan leadership accepted the reality in Iraq that have to be on the basis of new structure of Iraq and the constitution. We support the execution of article 140 and federal or federal unity.

About different political, tribal and religious groups’ support from Iraq Army to protect and to preserve the country he said: according to past experience that the Army was too hard on Kurds we do not accept them especially when they collaborated with ISIS after their attack, they showed they are not trustable. So we have to see that what Army is going to be formed and it should be supported.

In talk with Arman Press, Nazem Dabbagh depicted aspects of ISIS attack to Mosul and some other areas of Iraq turning to the most important news of Iraq these days. ISIS could overwhelm Mosul as well as Kirkuk and Tikrik, he said.

In his view Iraq forces’ spirit has got weakened but Pishmergas could free some parts of Kirkuk. In addition he mentioned Mr. Maliki’s phrase, the prime minister of Iraq, having said in a few days ISIS would be evicted from occupied lands.

Namely, some of the political groups for drawing votes of Ba’aths and their supporters promised to cooperate with them. He believed he would have to avoid giving important jobs to Ba’aths. He had documents proving some Ba’aths were used to attack Tikrit along with terrorists those who formed Anfal operation (genocide of Kurds) he said.

Nazem Dabbagh rejected the news about not being accepted of refugees of Mosul by KRG and added the prime minister of KRG, Mr. Nechirvan Barzani, frankly asked region authorities to give hand to them. He continued to say that Pishmergas are able to run operations against ISIS; therefore their being engaged to this quarrel is required general commander’s and KRG’s agreement. The close partnership between people and Iraq security forces against any threats is vital he believed.

Dabbagh put the possibility of ISIS attack to Baghdad under doubt and said did Baghdad fall, the whole country would. This is dangerous for Kurds since the next goal is Kurdish region and the region as whole. He quoted Mr. Talibani’s view saying the moment ISIS got formed in Syria it should have treated there and would not be allowed to be widespread.

In a response to a question he said Mr. Maliki asked America, to this purpose 4000 American forces entered Iraq.

Dabbagh put two strategies as solutions to ISIS. First is the formation of the real government of Iraq with presence of the majority of Iraqi groups. In this direction, he cautioned taking advantage of military forces of Iraq and Pishmergas in special having fighting background. The second strategy was is to establish an Iraqi identity for all groups, tribes and races, so that each Iraqi knows himself Iraqi first

of all. He claimed, if not so, again we would return to the previous government.

Continuing his talk he considered ISIS as a danger not only for Iran, but also for its fans Arabia and Turkey and even Europe. He even mentioned Iraq as a country suffering lots of problem and said reaching a unanimous agreement among Iraqi political groups was the concern neglected coalition of legal government governing. In his view Maliki did not manage to appeal all groups’ participations.

Dabbagh continued to say his predictions about Iraq were met and presently he is to predict that Iraq may change to another Afghanistan. In a response to a question he said if Kurds and other groups do not share affairs, the race identity will raise and if so ISIS would overcome Sunni sections, I say it is none of my business for I am Kurdish. In an answer to a question he said the solution to react ISIS is the unity among all groups and it is necessary to respect everybody’s right.

He mentioned the process of Erbil protocol formation according which the responsibility of prime ministry and general commander was taken on Mr. Maliki. Therefore in his view Maliki did not take any action to solve the problems of country. Frankly he asked federal government to respect Kurds rights so that they remain as a part of the country and accept the responsibility for its problems.

Istanbul, Turkey (KRG.org) – Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani yesterday met Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in Istanbul on the sidelines of a World Economic Forum event.

In the meeting both sides discussed the latest political and military developments in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, the process of forming a new government in Iraq, the participation of the Kurdistan Region in the new cabinet in Baghdad, and the situation in the Middle East in general.

The Peshmerga forces' fight against ISIS terrorist militants, the importance of the formation of an international coalition to attack and destroy the terrorists, and international support for the Peshmerga forces in the war against the terrorists were also discussed in detail.

The humanitarian situation and the condition of Iraq’s displaced people and Syrian refugees sheltered in the Kurdistan Region were also topics in the meeting, with special attention to the provision of aid by the people and the government of the Kurdistan Region and from the international community. Prime Minister Barzani highlighted the need for the Iraqi Government and the international community to pay more attention to the plight of the refugees and the displaced. He lauded Turkey for the aid and humanitarian support provided thus far, while reiterating that the Kurdistan Region expects further humanitarian assistance from Turkey.

Both prime ministers pointed to the importance of a strong bilateral relationship between Erbil and Ankara, stressing a common goal to promote economic, commercial, and political relations as well as expanded cooperation and coordination in the energy and natural resources sector. Both sides expressed their readiness to provide all the needed facilities in this regard.

Prime Minister Barzani’s accompanying delegation included Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, Minister of Natural Resources Dr Ashti Hawrami, Minister of Finance and Economy Rebaz Mohammad Hamalan, Minister of Planning Dr Ali Sindi, Head of the KRG Department of Foreign Relations Minister Falah Mustafa and KRG Spokesperson Minister Safeen Dizayee. The delegation participated in a number of different sessions and panels at the second day of the World Economic Forum (WEF) event.

Prime Minister Barzani headed the KRG delegation to Istanbul to participate in the WEF event upon an official invitation from Prime Minister Davutoglu and WEF Chairman Professor Klaus Schwab. Prime Minister Barzani and the delegation met Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Professor Schwab in separate meetings.

The delegation also met with a number of heads of state and senior officials from across the world and attended a dinner hosted by President Erdogan in honour of the participants of the WEF event.

Concerning the recent changes of Iraq after ISIS attacking to Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Mojgan Modarres Olum, from JARAS Press held a talk with Mr. Nazem Dabbagh the representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran of which the main points follow:

About serious international danger of ISIS he believes ISIS is a danger for all civilization and countries. This group is the people who possesses a country and that is why it leaves nothing but killing and violating. In his view the growth of ISIS is for mismanagement of governments and their incorrect performances.

While some of them are European and are supported by European countries. Thus it is not a danger just to Iraq and Syria but all countries. That is why should begin to fight this group. Kurds have been the only group fought them sincerely.

Mr. Dabbagh in a response to a question concerning the presence of potentials for international coalition against ISIS said that the USA’s attack to ISIS has been made when the danger of ISIS got clear. ISIS follows the goals just the as Ba’aths, namely, to unify Iraq, Syria and Egypt. The west, Turkey and Saudi Arabia supported this group sometime now they have found out the danger of ISIS.

Undoubtedly if ISIS overcomes Iraq, it will attack to those countries. Nevertheless the coalition for confronting ISIS is affective when it will not superficial. He continued if international coalition does not form against ISIS, in the future ISIS will endanger them in their countries. Therefore, superficial acts does not work but deep so that after being diminished of this ISIS, another ISIS cannot substitute for it. Iran’s position indicates that it is determined to confront ISIS he said.      

Ardeshir Pashang from Iranian Diplomacy conducted an interview with Mohammad Seddiq Ahmad, the deputy-representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran concerning military confrontation of KRG with ISIS (ISIL) of which important lines as followed:

Mohammad Seddiq Ahmad (Jegarkhowein) the deputy-representative of KRG of Iraq while mentioning that presently the war conditions indicate the strength and sturdiness of the deployment of Pishmerga military forces and their being strengthened with heavy weapon announced superiority Pishmega forces in conflict front with extremist terrorists and Takfiri of ISIS in present condition and said: the will and the ability of Pishmerga forces to defend Kurdistan, Kurdish and Iraqi people are so strong; these forces have lots of experiences of classic and specially guerilla wars; therefore the broad area of over 1500km of fronts and confrontation with suicidal attacks require special situations that luckily Pishmerga forces have gained the power. Whereas I should say this news that during recent days Kurdish Pishmerga have been able to inflict the most hit and human losses on ISIS which has been so considerable as compared with late couple weeks.

He continued to say by Mr. Barzani’s order to call backup forces to support military operation against ISIS and then added that military operation of USA could inflict great hit on ISIS and we hope it to be continued.

Dr. Ahmad continued that in spite of public, military and political power KRG is not such powerful in economic and presently cannot accept refugees over 1000000. He went on that all Iraq’s and the Region’s friends and allies including Iran have helped this government.  Some Kurdish authorities appreciated Tehran due to these aides. In addition Dr. Ahmad while mentioning Mr. Yunosi’s talk, special assistant of the president of Iran in tribal and religious affairs said: I am so pleased that he as the representative of Iran government announced his position and opinion about sustained losses against Kurds and following dangers and this support has caused us to be happy and warm.

The deputy-representative of KRG of Iraq in Iran about the soon fall of Shengal and Zumar said first these two towns were under the control of Iraq army secondly Pishmerga forces presence was limited in these towns and at last unusual kind of ISIL attack typically accompanied with unrecorded violence and cruelty against civilians was considered the reason of the fall.

He said major withdraws of KRG were in the regions which regarding military geography was less important and were carried out on a completely limited level and according to definite military tactics to save civilians’ lives. At last he deemed the civilians’ conditions of Shengal mounts so painful and bitter and said about the emergence of human disaster of Izadi Kurdish refugees in this mount.  He added that this disastrous condition had a nationwide reflection; and even followed the announcement of Security Council. He said many of aged people and children have lost their lives for killing heat, thirstiness and hungriness. Now most of them due to air-aiding on the behalf of the USA and Iraq forces have been transferred to a safe place.  

Iran press, in the thick of Iraq struggles, held a meeting to decode ideological background of Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS) and to map the movements of this extremist cell. Masood Asadollahi the experts and knowledgeable in Arab world affairs, Hojatollah Judaki the researcher and expert in Middle East and Islam world affairs and Nazem Dabbagh the representative of KRG of Iraq in Tehran to accept Iran’s invitation, proceeded with the matter of ISIS.

In this meeting Nazem Dabbagh concerning the time when the signs of takfiri (unchurching) appeared in Iraq said this case had got to be considered in detail. In his view the emergence of takfiri idea was the results of a process which was managed by the west.  For while the west took advantage the takfiri groups to stand against the communism influence in the region. One instance was the groups like Al-Qaeda.

Even Saddam at a moment tended Islamism and printed the word ‘Allaho Akbar’ (Great God) on the flag of Iraq. Therefore, after September 11^th, they felt the danger. That was why they drew decision to react it. When the crisis began in Syria, several groups unified and formed free army of Syria while some of them were takfiris. The government s like Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar supported them with the aim of helping Syria nation. Presently 13 groups of Ba’ath under different titles have joined ISIS. Dabbagh in a part of his phrases mentioned the Saudi Arabia role to create a group called tribal revolutionary council to charge the actions of ISIS in Mosul, Tikrit and Samarra with this group.

About the correctness of a scenario concerning Kurds supporting the move weakening Mr. Maliki he was asked. He responded there were two concerns causing the struggles between Maliki and the KRG. One was the lands which accordance with article 140 has not assigned to the Region, and the other was Mr. Maliki policies which are more hegemonic than democratic. He continued that before ISIS transferring to Mosul we warned Mr.

Barezani twice about the suspicious moves in Mosul, but he did not notice. We entered Kirkuk when Iraq Army fell. Mr. Dabbagh said to exit the current crisis the conditions of the establishment of a democratic government with the participation of all groups have to be made. In present situation Iraq are divided into three parts Shia, Sunni and Kurds. Whether we should tend to con-federalism, namely, three independent allied governments with their own authorities, or does to federalism.

In a response to a question Nazem Dabbagh said the KRG which was occupied by Pishmerga was abandoned by Iraq Army; for preventing ISIS to flow this region Kurds entered. Thus, there was no intention to invade or to take points. He added that it is Iran’s gain to have a Kurdish and Shia neigbour on the west. He also mentioned the aids and cooperation of Iran nation during Royal era and Islamic Republic.

To complete a participant’s phrases Dabbagh said that the president of KRG appreciated the necessity of the unification with Shia. They may enter the oil-rich regions on the north of Iraq or be employed by Turkey to react P.K.K. Thus the leadership of the Region realizes the necessity of unification with Shia. This unification make guarantee the maintenance of Iraq unity. They say they are concerned about Nuri Al-Maliki policies but Shia.