Sent by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, the letter comes at a time where Islamic State (ISIS) attacks on the Peshmerga forces are on the rise, especially in areas disputed between Erbil and Baghdad with 22 Kurdish soldiers killed since November 27.
America will continue to assist the Peshmerga and Iraqi forces in confronting ISIS, particularly in the fields of “consulting, information exchange and intelligence,” read a statement from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) that was sent to Rudaw.
Austin also emphasized the importance of maintaining the strong relation the Kurdistan Region and America share, as well as America’s cooperation in confronting ISIS, it added.
Washington has maintained a strong relationship with the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. The US has provided the Kurdish Peshmerga with several rounds of military aid over the years, namely in the fight against ISIS beginning in 2014. The coalition gave over 200 vehicles, including Humvees, water tankers and transport trucks to the Kurdish fighters in July and September.
The terror group was territorially defeated in 2017, but it remains a serious security threat, especially in areas where there is a security vacuum between Erbil and Baghdad. It has recently increased its attacks on the Kurdish forces.
ISIS attacked Peshmerga in Kirkuk late on Sunday, killing four of them. The militant group also claimed responsibility for a Thursday attack on two villages in southwest Erbil near the disputed territory of Makhmour that left 10 Peshmerga fighters and three civilians dead.
Austin and Barzani previously discussed the security of areas of Iraq and the Region that remain a hotspot for ISIS activities in November.
The deadly ISIS offensives come as the US prepares to withdraw its combat troops by the end of the year, as the coalition formally shifts its mission focus to advising and assisting Iraqi forces. There are currently about 2,500 US troops in Iraq, including in the Kurdistan Region. It is not immediately clear whether the shift in roles will change the number of American soldiers in the country.
The US is under pressure to withdraw from Iraq. However, several Iraqi and Kurdish officials have said Iraq still needs the assistance of the US-led coalition against ISIS.
