Peshmerga delegation to visit Baghdad to discuss anti-ISIS cooperation with new federal gov't: Ministry

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – A delegation from the Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Peshmerga will visit Baghdad to discuss several security-related topics as soon as the new Federal Government of Iraq, headed by Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, officially takes office, the Ministry said on Tuesday.

The topics include the current situation in the disputed territories and strengthening military cooperation between the Kurdistan Region and Iraq in the fight against the so-called Islamic State, Maj. Gen. Babakr Faqe Ahmad, General Director of Media and National Awareness at the Peshmerga Ministry, told local media.

Highlighting the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) concerns of an increase in Islamic State activities in the disputed territories, Maj. Gen. Ahmad said all security-related talks with Baghdad are currently on hold.

The regional government is waiting for the new federal government to completely take office before the launch of a new round of talks regarding the Erbil-Baghdad military files, he added.

Maj. Gen. Ahmad did not specify when the meetings would occur but noted that the delegation is expected to fly out to Baghdad soon.

The resumption of talks comes amid an increase in Islamic State activity in and around the provinces of Kirkuk and Diyala, signaling alarming security threats in the region as the terror group continues to kidnap and execute people.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany