US sends condolences to PM Barzani following death of brother

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) - The US State Department on Tuesday extended its "deepest condolences" to the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region Nechrivan Barzani after the unexpected death of his brother, Dilovan Barzani.

"The United States together with our team in Baghdad and Erbil extend our deepest condolences to @PMBarzani and his family on the passing of his brother, Delovan, earlier today," the US State Department posted on its official Twitter account.

Dilovan died suddenly on Monday in Erbil after suffering from a heart attack at the age of 51. He was born in 1966 in the Barzan area and was the twin brother of Prime Minister Barzani.

He held no official government position but was considered a prominent social figure, taking part in events across the Kurdistan Region as a representative for the Kurdish Prime Minister.

US Ambassador to Iraq Douglas Silliman also sent a consolation via social media account on Monday, tweeting, "On behalf of @USEmbBaghdad staff, I offer my sincere condolences to @PMBarzani and all his family on the passing of his brother Delovan."

The Prime Minister of Iraq Haider al-Abadi, Iraqi President Fuad Masum, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, and British Ambassador Jon Wilks, among many other officials, extended their condolences to the Kurdish Premier and his family as well.

Editing by John J. Catherine