A local official told Rudaw on condition of anonymity that Hammond will meet with authorities in Kurdistan to discuss the latest security developments in the war, and Britain’s ongoing support for the Kurdish Peshmerga forces.
Following a UN Security Council meeting in New York late last year, Hammond told Rudaw that his country had sent large shipments of weapons to the Peshmerga, forces and would continue to do so.
Hammond met Iraqi President Fuad Masum and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Abadi on Wednesday, reportedly to discuss the success of the anti-ISIS campaign and the key Peshmerga role in the fighting.
On his twitter account, the British foreign minister said on Wednesday: “Positive discussions in #Baghdad today with Sunni, Shia & Kurdish reps. #Iraq needs a future that involves all of society @UKinIraq.”
Hammond has been reportedly also informed of military developments against ISIS – or Daesh as the group is known in Arabic. Currently, all eyes are on Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city which was taken by ISIS in June 2014. Military preparations are reportedly underway for an anticipated offensive to liberate Mosul, involving the Iraqi Army, its allied militia, Kurdish forces and the US-led coalition.
“Productive day in Baghdad. Received update from Coalition forces commanders about military momentum vs #Daesh @UKagainstDaesh @CJTFOIR.”
Britain is a leading force in a 60-nation, US-led coalition that has pledged to help defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
