ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani received United States Congressman Seth Moulton on Friday in Erbil for a discussion on a range of topics, including the upcoming parliamentary election.
President Barzani thanked the congressman for Washington’s support. Moulton said that Congress “will continue supporting the Kurdistan Region as a friend,” according to a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency.
They discussed the Kurdistan Region’s October 20 legislative election, Erbil-Baghdad relations, Peshmerga reforms, and the latest developments in the Middle East, according to the statement.
Moulton, who serves on the House Armed Services Committee, was also received by Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.
“We discussed KR-US ties, progress with Peshmerga reforms, and regional developments,” PM Barzani said in a post on X.
Moulton told PM Barzani that the Kurdistan Region is a trusted friend and partner of the US and highlighted the importance of supporting the Peshmerga, according to a statement from the Kurdistan Region Government (KRG).
They also discussed the resumption of Kurdistan Region’s oil exports, which have been suspended since March last year following an arbitration case between Turkey and Iraq.
The US has provided the Peshmerga with several rounds of military aid over the years, most recently in August.
The Peshmerga played a significant role in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS). The US-led global coalition has provided the Kurdish force with a range of weapons, though Kurds have criticized Baghdad for blocking the delivery of some military aid, including drones.