ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - President Masoud Barzani has arrived in Kirkuk where he will meet with provincial council members and Peshmerga forces on the frontlines. In his first visit to the city since a massive assault by ISIS, Barzani announced that no military groups, such as the Shiite militia group known as The People’s Mobilization Forces, would be allowed into Kirkuk except for the Peshmerga. “Kirkuk is really important for us as it is the same for ISIS,” he said. Barzani also said the Kurdistan Regional Government will spare no effort to free Peshmerga hostages from ISIS. This week the Islamic State issued video footage of 17 caged Peshmerga being paraded through and ISIS-held town. “If ISIS decides to martyr them, they will pay a heavy price,” Barzani said.
