President Barzani and US ambassador discuss war and related issues

DUHOK, Kurdistan Region – Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani discussed Kurdish fighting against the Islamic State group (ISIS), recent advances by Peshmerga forces and Russia's recent military involvement in Syria with Stuart Jones, the US ambassador to Iraq.

The ambassador offered his congratulations for Peshmerga  advances in  ISIS-controlled territories in western Kirkuk and condolences for the 1,300 Kurdish soldiers killed in the war that began in August last year, said a statement from the Kurdistan presidency.

Coordination between the US-led coalition and Peshmerga forces on the battlefield was a central point of Sunday’s meeting, with both sides reaffirming that greater cooperation was needed in the war against the militants.

The US military assistance to the Peshmerga and developments on the battlefields of Iraq and Syria were also discussed.The two talked about Russia’s involvement in the war in Syria, which Barzani has welcomed.

“Many other countries should engage in the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria and they must eradicate the extremist group at the root,” Barzani said in a statement on Saturday.

“The Kurdistan Region welcomes any country or party that would help the Peshmerga against ISIS and in this light we welcome Russia’s participation,” he said in Saturday’s statement.