Tehran- IRNA News Agency- Nazem Dabbagh the representative of KRG said: as long as we are supported by Iran, we will not need America’s help. He added: the emergence of terrorist groups is the result of America policies in the region.

 He explained: if we take a look to dictator regimes, we will found most of them are brought by America. Stating the emergence of the current extremist groups in Iraq is the new policy of America he added: the aim of forming these groups in those countries is that they always need them.

Concerning the changes in Kubani, Nazem Dabbagh had an interview with analysis-oriented news weekly of Seda whose important points follow:

In Dabbagh’s views defeating of ISIS in attacking Kurdistan Region and Shingal mount caused it think of Kubani. He knew it probable that attacking Kubani was to strengthen ISIS position to attack Baghdad. He added that all Kurdish Pishmega support to release Kubani has a special role. He acclaimed that to support Kubani many groups entered the battlefield. He also added Kubani was served by some help of which was military and medical from America. In addition one of America’s aids to Kubani was bombing ISIS positions by American fighters which were accompanied with much loss. He also said that I.R. of Iran from early days rushed to help people and offered his humanity and friendly military aids to Kurdistan Region of Iraq. But he claimed he had not been given any news ascertaining Iran’s help to Kubani, although he was not sure about. In a part of his phrases he deemed the phenomena of ISIS and terrorism as axis for endangered countries like Kurdistan region of Iraq, Iraq and Iran to get unified and it leads both sides relations warm.

Dabbagh claimed that international and regional support from Iraqi Kurds than Syrians was somewhat more whereas most countries of the world and region did not already have negative view toward ISIS. If ISIS dominated the Region, regarding the potentials of oil and energy in the Region, it would probably get greatly powerful. Thus Dabbagh believes that the importance of Kubani is not less than Kurdistan Region. He said ISIS thinks that to dominate Kubani is not such difficult.

About America’s announcement according to the priority of oil and refinery resources to Kubani, Nazem Dabbagh said that basically the USA’s policy is his benefits, so they pay more attention to the resources of the region. Furthermore if ISIS dominates oil resources it will be so powerful, thus America’s concern is aimed at oil wells and refineries.

As continuing his talking he criticized Turkey’s policy toward ISIS, however he appreciated Turkeys for changing his positions about the permission according to which Kurdish forces can go through his land. At last Dabbagh mentioned that the presence of ISIS in Iraq has indicated that if we are not allied and do not solve the domestic problems, it will lead nothing but ISIS presence; and he hopped the new government of Iraq with the participation of all political groups in Iraq would be formed.

Nazem Dabbagh the representative of Kurdistan region of Iraq in Tehran pointing out that Kurds believe to halt ISIS to grow in the region said: we prefer our friends (Iran) to be the forerunner of this.

Nazem Dabbagh the representative KRG in Iran talking with foreign policy and international reporter of Fars News Agency concerning the formation of a real coalition against ISIS said: to attack ISIS as a terrorist group is a general benefit. If these happens any point in the world, it will be good. In my opinion the difference between powers causes ISIS to penetrate deeper in the region. It is no different which the leader of the fighting against ISIS is America, Iran, Kurd or Arab. Their complete destruction is only important. He reminded: Kurds have tribal and geographical considerations in common and is close to this country and it is unchangeable. According to the close relationship with I.R of Iran we welcome this that I.R. of Iran takes more actions against ISIS. In current situations we support to attach ISIS and this is not different, and we have always emphasized that there is a good relation between Iran and Kurdistan Region and we witnessed this in Mr. Zarif news meeting when he was in Erbil concerning how to have bilateral cooperation.

He stated: what I am asking is that not to let these differences on concerns in the region causes ISIS grow. I prefer our friends (Iran) to be forerunner of this. There are Ba’ath and other group grown by Takfiri and it was they who created the Syrian and Iraqi government. Nazem Dabbagh also pointed out at the end: maybe now we witness them weakening but we get carless this weakness causes them to grow. I.R. of Iran, Europe and America have to do something till ISIS get destructed but weakened.  

Stockholm, Sweden (dfr.gov.krd) - Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Margot Wallstrom, today received Minister Falah Mustafa, Head of the KRG Foreign Relations, to discuss bilateral ties and latest humanitarian and security developments in Kurdistan and the wider region.

In welcoming Minister Mustafa and his accompanying delegation, Foreign Minister Wallstrom said, “We enjoy excellent relations with the Kurdistan Region and we are eager and willing to expand and further strengthen this relation for the benefit of both sides.”

Minister Mustafa thanked Foreign Minister Wallstrom for her hospitality and expressed the strong desire of the Kurdistan Regional Government to benefit form Sweden’s experience and knowledge in further advancing the Kurdistan Region.

The Minister briefed the foreign minister on the Peshmerga advances against the ISIS terrorists and the efforts of the Kurdistan Regional Government in dealing with nearly tow million refugees and internally displaced Persons.

Commending the KRG for the hospitality it continues to provide to the Syrian refugees and IDPs, the Foreign Minister pledged that Sweden will continue to provide humanitarian support to the IDPs and refugees in the Kurdistan Region.

Referring to the bravery of Peshmerga forces, the Foreign Minister stated, “Peshmerga forces have proven that they are a reliable force. They have been an important element in the fight against ISIS. There is an urgent need to address the problem of ISIS and to support the Peshmerga forces.”

She added, “The government of Sweden is exploring the possibility of sending military advisor to the Kurdistan Region to train Peshmerga forces.”

Both sides discussed the crimes committed against Yezidis and other minorities by the ISIS terrorists. Foreign Minister Wallstrom conveyed the support of Sweden for the KRG’ efforts in seeking international recognition of terrorist crimes committed against religious and ethnic minorities as acts of genocide.

Considering the strong historical ties and the need to further facilitate cooperation between Kurdistan and Sweden, the KRG Minister emphasized the necessity to upgrade the level of Swedish representation in Erbil to consulate general. The Minister extended an invitation to the Foreign Minister to visit the Kurdistan Region in a near future.

Pointing to the Region’s extensive economic potential, Minister Mustafa stated, “There is a golden opportunity for Swedish companies, our needs represent significant investment potential for your businesses.”

Talking about the role of Kurdish Diaspora in Sweden, both side stressed the importance to make use of all the knowledge and experience of the Kurdish Diaspora in Sweden in strengthening relations between Sweden and the Kurdistan Region.

The meeting was followed by a joint press conference where both ministers responded to questions from reporters.

Mr Karwan Jamal, Deputy Head of DFR, Mr. Shoresh Rahim, KRG Representative to Sweden, Mr. Robert Rydberg, Head of Department for Middle East and North Africa, and Laila Naraghi, political advisor to the minister of foreign affairs as well as other officials from both sides attended the meeting.

Minister Mustafa is on a three-day official visit to Stockholm.

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani today welcomed German defense minister Ursula von der Leyen in Salahaddin today to discuss German military aid to peshmerga forces.

In a meeting with President Barzani and the military leadership of the KRG, the German defense minister, who was accompanied by a number of security advisors and German members of parliament, reiterated her country’s commitment to stand by the people of Kurdistan in the fight against ISIS terrorists and commended the role of the peshmerga forces in taking the fight to them. She added that Germany would continue to help the KRG by providing weapons and military training to the peshmerga forces.

President Barzani thanked the people and government of German for their decision to assist the KRG and said that the people of Kurdistan are deeply grateful for Germany for coming to their aid. He said that the military aid from Germany has been very effective in battles. He added that with the assistance provided by Germany and other countries, the peshmerga forces now have the upper hand and will continue to push back the ISIS terrorists. But he warned that this will be a drawn-out fight, and the peshmerga require more military assistance and more advanced weapons.

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.

Washington, DC, USA (dfr.gov.krd) - Minister Falah Mustafa Bakir , Head of the Department of Foreign Relations, and the newly appointed Representative to the United States, Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, concluded their week-long round of meetings in Washington DC by seeing officials at the White House and State Department.

The Kurdistan Regional Government delegation has been in the US capital to introduce the new Representative and to update the Administration, Congress, media and business community on developments in Kurdistan and Iraq.

Four key White House advisors met with Minister Bakir and Ms Abdul Rahman on Thursday to discuss the growing collaboration between the KRG and the US in the fight against terrorism. 'The US has long been an important, strategic ally of the people of the Kurdistan Region,' Mr Bakir told the team from both the President and Vice-President's offices. Ms Abdul Rahman said, ‘As the KRG Representative here in Washington, I will continue to build the strategic partnership between our people, on all fronts.’

Philip Gordon, a special assistant to President Barack Obama and the White House coordinator for the Middle East, welcomed Ms Abdul Rahman and said he was encouraged by the presence of the KRG office in Washington and frequent visits by Minister Bakir. He recognised and thanked the peshmerga for their dedication and sacrifices in combating the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Also at the meeting were Colin Kahl,Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor to Vice President Joe Biden; Robert Malley, Senior Director of the National Security Council; and ‎Andy Kim, Iraq Director at the National Security Council.

The two sides discussed the political progress in Baghdad under Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi ‎and the current debate in the Iraqi parliament on the budget law which for the first time allocates funds for the peshmerga as part of Iraq's defence system. They also talked about security developments as the peshmerga regain all Kurdistani territories and the continuing humanitarian crisis.

The delegation also met with senior  officials on Friday at the State Department to discuss the issues of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees, US support for the peshmerga, and the recent negotiations between Erbil and Baghdad.

The Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Ambassador Anne Patterson, updated the delegates on US efforts to combat ISIL and praised the peshmerga for their successes in Sinjar.

In a separate meeting at the State Department, Kelly Tallman Clements, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, expressed her concern for the 1million people displaced into the Kurdistan Region since last year who joined the 1million or so fellow Iraqis and Syrians who had been sheltering in Kurdistan before that. Minister Bakir thanked the US for its support, but said that aid from the international community needs to continue, especially through the cold winter months.

Minister Bakir and Representative Abdul Rahman also met General Jim Jones, a friend of Kurdistan since 1991 who is now chief executive of the US-Kurdistan Business Council. They discussed Kurdistan's economic recovery in 2015 and ways to expand commercial ties between the two countries.

The KRG delegation continued its introductory meetings on Capitol Hill, including with members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and House Committee on Appropriations. Speaking on the growing cooperation between KRG, US, and Iraqi forces, Senator Pat Roberts said, ‘If we are to be successful in Iraq, the Kurds will lead the way.’

These meetings came at the end of a week-long round of talks by the KRG delegation with congressmen and ‎senators who sit on key committees or are interested in Kurdistan, Iraq and the Middle East.‎ The Minister and Representative also called on the Iraqi Ambassador, Lukman Faily, met with the KRG Representation team in Washington and spoke to the media.

Washington DC, USA (dfr.gov.krd) - A Kurdistan Regional Government delegation held meetings with the Department of Defense, congressmen and‎ senators in Washington DC on Thursday to discuss the latest developments in the fight against ISIL and the humanitarian crisis in Kurdistan.

In a key meeting with Lisa Kenna, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy, and her colleagues at the Department of Defense, Minister Falah Mustafa Bakir, Head of the Department of Foreign Relations,  said, ‘The peshmerga are a competent, coherent force and they have retaken almost all the territory lost to the terrorists in the summer. The peshmerga are the boots on the ground and are winning thanks to the help of the US and coalition airstrikes‎. We need your support for the long term to turn the peshmerga into a national force.'

Since August, the US has conducted over 1,600 of airstrikes targeting the Islamic State in in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
Minister Bakir also introduced Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, the new KRG Representative to the United States, who thanked the Pentagon for its timely and critical assistance. Minister Bakir was in Washington ‎to introduce the Representative and to update the Administration and Congress on the political, humanitarian and security situation in Kurdistan and Iraq.
The KRG delegation repeated its request for heavy, advanced  weapons ‎as well as equipment to counter mines and unexploded devices, and training for the peshmerga.

The delegation also held a meeting with the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ed Royce. In December, Chairman Royce introduced a bill that would allow the US to directly arm and train Kurdish peshmerga forces. The Congressman told the delegation, ‘We are working to get the peshmerga the tools they need to defeat ISIL,' he said.
Although the Congressman’s bill has not been voted on, Congress has passed other measures to bring defence equipment to the peshmerga, including the Iraq Train and Equip Fund which passed as part of the National Defence Authorisation Act.

Mr Bakir and Ms Abdul Rahman also talked with Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and ‎Congressman Adam Kinzinger, both of whom are on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

At the Senate, the KRG delegation‎ spoke to Jim Inhofe,  senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee who also supports arming and training the peshmerga. 'The Kurds in Iraq have proven themselves to be fierce fighters in combatting ISIL,' he said. 'Providing them with the necessary weapons and equipment will be key to enabling them to successfully defeat this well-funded and organised terrorist organisation.'

In all its meetings, the KRG delegation also outlined the severe winter conditions now facing the internally displaced people (IDPs) and refugees from Syria in Kurdistan and the particular targeting of ethnic and religious minorities by ISIL. They thanked America for its contribution towards the relief effort and asked that it continue to do so.

Minister Bakir said, 'We are pleased to have so many friends who support the development of the  KRG and have shown solidarity and support in the fight against ISIL as well as support for the KRG's efforts to help the IDPs and refugees.'

There are about 2 million refugees and IDPs, stretching Kurdistan's services to the limit. These issues were highlighted in talks with Senators Ron Johnson and Pat Roberts and Congressmen Adam Smith, Kay Granger and Nita Lowey. Earlier in the week, the delegation met several congressmen and senators, including Congressmen Dana Rohrabacher‎ and Steve King, as well as the senior staff of some of the committees.