Masrour Barzani, Coalition Commander discuss Peshmerga-ISF relations, Kirkuk

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The latest security and political developments in the region and relations between the Peshmerga and Iraqi forces led discussions in a meeting between the Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) Chancellor and the Deputy Commanding General of the US-led anti-Islamic State (IS) coalition on Monday.

KRSC Chancellor Masrour Barzani met with Deputy Commanding General of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF–OIR) Major General Walter Piatt in Erbil to discuss security and political developments in Iraq, a readout of the meeting published on the KRSC website reveals.

Chancellor Barzani and Major General Piatt “had a candid exchange” on IS activities in Mosul, Salahuddin, Anbar, and Kirkuk provinces as well as the next phase in the anti-IS campaign, including in Syria.

Met Deputy Commanding General of @CJTFOIR MG Walter Piatt – Concerned by ISIL activities in Kirkuk and beyond. Kirkuk enjoyed far more stability under Peshmerga control; Article 140 must remain the guiding principle. Readout: https://t.co/vX9sQQdgk1 pic.twitter.com/Qor5ETvYGk

— Masrour Barzani (@masrour_barzani) June 4, 2018

The Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) commitment in the fight against IS and its readiness for further coordination with coalition forces to clear remaining pockets of the extremists were two points reaffirmed by Barzani.

He also reminded Major General Piatt that Kirkuk was safer under the control of Peshmerga, urging the Deputy Commanding General “to use the roadmap outlined in Article 140 of the Iraqi Constitution as a guiding principle” to restore stability in the province.

Aligning political and security efforts to rebuild trust between the Peshmerga and Iraqi security forces is crucial to achieving resettlement, the readout quotes the KRSC Chancellor as saying.

A concern shared by both officials, according to the readout, was that IS extremists continue to increase their “terrorist activities” and have exploited the security gap between the Peshmerga and Iraqi security forces.

“Major General Piatt briefed Chancellor Barzani on [the] US-led Coalition training plans for Peshmerga Forces,” and both “agreed to continue their regular consultations” on the matters addressed in the meeting.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany