ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The top US diplomat in Erbil and the commander of US Central Command met with KRG Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani on Sunday to discuss to role of Kurdistan in the formation of the new Iraqi government and defeating ISIS remnants.
"They discussed security and political developments in Iraq and the wider region, highlighted steps towards the formation of the new Iraqi government and the role of the Kurdistan Region in this process," read a KRG statement.
Parliament is meeting on Monday to discuss replacing more members of Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission.
Recently in disputed or Kurdistani areas like Kirkuk, ethno-religious minorities have come under attack and locals have asked the KRG to return Peshmerga and Kurdish security forces, following their withdrawal on October 16.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced ISIS was defeated in Iraq in December 2017. The US leads the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.
"They stressed the importance of military coordination among coalition, Iraqi and Peshmerga forces, especially in hunting remnants of ISIS and eliminating their recent movements in the region," added the KRG statement.
The US trained, equipped, and advised two brigades of Peshmerga through the ISIS conflict. The KRG hopes US funding will continue into Fiscal Year 2019.
"Coordination between coalition and Peshmerga forces was highly valued and the United States emphasized they will continue military support," the KRG added.
Both sides stressed that the only solution for Syria is a "political settlement that would guarantee the rights of all communities."
"They discussed security and political developments in Iraq and the wider region, highlighted steps towards the formation of the new Iraqi government and the role of the Kurdistan Region in this process," read a KRG statement.
Parliament is meeting on Monday to discuss replacing more members of Iraq's Independent High Electoral Commission.
Barzani is deputy head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), whose party won 25 seats in Iraq's parliamentary election on May 12 — the most from any party the Kurdistan Region. Its results are currently contested by a number of parties from the Kurdistan Region and elsewhere in Iraq.
Consul General to Erbil Ken Gross and Gen. Joseph Votel, the commander of CENTCOM, headed the US delegation.
Recently in disputed or Kurdistani areas like Kirkuk, ethno-religious minorities have come under attack and locals have asked the KRG to return Peshmerga and Kurdish security forces, following their withdrawal on October 16.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced ISIS was defeated in Iraq in December 2017. The US leads the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.
"They stressed the importance of military coordination among coalition, Iraqi and Peshmerga forces, especially in hunting remnants of ISIS and eliminating their recent movements in the region," added the KRG statement.
The US trained, equipped, and advised two brigades of Peshmerga through the ISIS conflict. The KRG hopes US funding will continue into Fiscal Year 2019.
"Coordination between coalition and Peshmerga forces was highly valued and the United States emphasized they will continue military support," the KRG added.
Both sides stressed that the only solution for Syria is a "political settlement that would guarantee the rights of all communities."
PM Barzani was joined by KRG Interior Minister Karim Sinjari, who is also acting Peshmerga minister, and Fuad Hussein, an adviser to the Kurdistan Region's presidency.
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