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 today met with United States Deputy Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in Salahhadin to discuss the ongoing efforts to defeat ISIS, and security and political developments in Iraq and in Syria.

Mr. Blinken praised the military successes of the peshmerga forces against ISIS terrorists in recent months, especially the recapture of the town of Sinjar last week. He stated that the United States government would continue to support the peshmerga forces. 

President Barzani said that without air support from the US and other coalition partners, the liberation of Sinjar would not have been possible. He reiterated his thanks to the US and other coalition countries. The President added that the liberation of Sinjar demonstrated that with close cooperation and coordination, ISIS can be defeated. 

The President and the US Deputy Secretary of State also underlined the urgent need to help rebuild Sinjar following its liberation.

Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (Krp.org)- President Masoud Barzani received a parliamentary delegation from the United Kingdom headed by Conservative Party Member of Parliament Mr. Nadhim Zahawi, During the meeting President Barzani and Mr. Zahawi spoke of the operations against the terrorists of the Islamic State by the Peshmerga forces particularly the Sinjar operation which concluded with the defeat of the terrorists. Mr. Zahawi congratulated President Barzani for the Sinjar operation and stated that the British government will continue to support the Kurdistan Region as we collectively strive for the utter annihilation of the terrorists of the Islamic State.

President Barzani made reference to the air support from the U.S.-led coalition and reiterated his appreciation for that support. He also stated that the Paris terrorist attacks law week further demonstrated that these terrorists pose a threat to the entirely of humankind.

Salahadin, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, (Krp.org)- President Masoud Barzani received an Iraqi ministry of Defense delegation headed by Mr. Khaled al-Obaidi, the Minister of Defense. The meeting was initiated by the Minister offering his congratulations on the Peshmerga forces' victory in the Sinjar operation last week which resulted in the liberation of the twon of Sinjar. The minister sated that the Sinjar operation was indeed a crucial turning point in the collective war against the terrorists of the Islamic State.

President Barzani and Minister al-Obaidi spoke of the current state of the ongoing and upcoming operations against the terrorists of the Islamic State. They stressed on the importance of solidifying the coordination between the Peshmerga forces and other parts of the Iraqi military system in order to further expedite the liberation of other Iraqi locales which are still in the hands of the terrorists. 

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.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani today met with a Swedish government delegation that included the Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom and the Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist.

The meeting which took place in Erbil, focused on the efforts to defeat ISIS terrorists and the international coalition support to the peshmerga forces.

Swedish Foreign Minister Wallstrom praised the role of the peshmerga forces and the leadership of President Barzani the fight against ISIS and reiterated his country’s continued support to the Kurdistan Region in this fight. Sweden’s Defense Minister Hultqvist also commended the bravery and the sacrifices of the Peshmerga forces and said his country will continue to assist the peshmerga forces until ISIS is defeated. 

President Barzani thanked Sweden’s contributions and its steadfast support to the peshmerga forces. The President stated that defeating ISIS must be the top priority and confronting it requires the close cooperation of all sides.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani called Turkish President Erdogan on Monday to congratulate him on the successful conclusion of the recent general election in Turkey. The President expressed his hope the results of this election will lead to stability and progress in Turkey and in the wider region, and will bring about peace to all the communities in Turkey. 

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani welcomed Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioğlu in Salahaddin today. The President and the Turkish Foreign Minister reviewed bilateral relations, the fight against ISIS terrorists, and political and security developments in the region. Both sides reaffirmed their desire to continue to consolidate their bilateral cooperation. 

Foreign Minister Sinirlioğlu said that Turkey supports stability and security in the Kurdistan Region and is ready to enhance bilateral relations with the KRG. 

President Barzani congratulated the successful general election held in Turkey and expressed his hope that the results of this election would lead to more stability and peace in Turkey. 
The President emphasized that cooperation between the KRG and Turkey as neighbors would help peace, stability, and security in the region.