Presidency of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Kurdistan Region President meets with Commander of Coalition’s Special Operations Forces

2020-05-30T13:07:34.000000Z
International relations
Erbil, Kurdistan Region, May 30, 2020

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met with Maj. Gen. Eric Hill, commander of the Coalition’s Special Operations Forces in Iraq and Syria on Saturday. The meeting was also attended by Kurdistan Region Vice President Jaafar Mustafa. Both sides discussed the key developments with the global COVID-19 outbreak and efforts to counter the recent increase of ISIS terror activities in Iraq and the disputed territories.

The economic consequences of the pandemic and its effect on public health were also discussed. The two sides also spoke about the impact of the outbreak on the global coalition’s military plans and movements.

President Nechirvan Barzani and Maj. Gen. Eric Hill spoke about the upcoming strategic dialogue between the United States and Iraq and the future of its bilateral relations which is set to start in June. The president reiterated the importance of Kurdistan Region’s presence and participation in the dialogue and in the formation of any road maps.

The two sides also discussed the increasing dangers of ISIS terrorists’ movements and assaults in Iraq and Syria, which have seriously undermined the security and stability of both countries.

President Nechirvan Barzani stressed the need and importance of the international coalition’s continued support for Iraq and Kurdistan Region in the war against terror. The president also underlined that Iraq needs to take the necessary political steps to restore trust, security and stability among all communities in the country.

President Nechirvan Barzani reiterated the importance of cooperative arrangements between the government of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region in confronting ISIS terrorists, particularly in the disputed territories. The president pledged full cooperation with Baghdad and said that the movements of terror groups and their attacks greatly endanger the security of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.