US Congress reaffirm Washington’s support for Kurdistan and Peshmerga

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Region Security Council Chancellor held several meetings with the US Congress in Washington DC discussing bilateral relations, more support for the Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga forces and post-Islamic State (IS)-Mosul.

Masrour Barzani, Chancellor of the Kurdistan Region Security Council, met with the House Intelligence Committee chaired by Devin Nunes, the representative for California’s twenty-second congressional district discussing the future of US-Kurdistan relations and what it entails.

[The Kurdistan Region delegation meets with the House Intelligence Committee chaired by Devin Nunes]

Moreover, Chancellor Barzani met with Dianne Feinstein, Vice Chairman of Senate Committee on Intelligence.

In the meeting, Chancellor Barzani called for continued US support after the defeat of IS, also reaffirmed Kurdistan's commitment to dialogue and peaceful means to resolve political differences with the Iraqi Government in Baghdad.

Senator Feinstein stated “We have disappointed the Kurds before and I do not want to do it again.”

Chancellor Barzani, accompanied by the Chief of Staff to the President of the Kurdistan Region Fuad Hussein have been in Washington on an official visit, meeting with US officials from the current administration and the administration of the President-elect Donald Trump.

In a meeting, which was also attended by 13 members of the committee, Barzani thanked American people and government for their steadfast support of the Kurds in 2014, while they fought extremists on the ground.

Chancellor Barzani emphasized the importance of continued support to Kurdistan’s Peshmerga forces and its security organizations, adding that “Once IS is removed from Iraqi territory, the war will transition into an intelligence fight against the extremists.

In another meeting, Chancellor Barzani met with Adam Kinzinger, the representative for Illinois’s sixteenth congressional district discussing regional security and political developments and Kurdistan’s relations with Baghdad and neighboring countries.

Chancellor Barzani stated that in the past 25 years, the Kurdistan Region has been “A factor of stability for its neighboring countries and the greater region.”

“We need to secure a future that guarantees our people lives and stability and the US has an important part to play in this effort,” Barzani added, stating that “We have proven to be a steadfast ally to the US and the Kurdistan Region have fought for the same values.”

[The Kurdistan Region delegation met with Adam Kinzinger, the representative for Illinois’s sixteenth congressional district]

For his part, Kinzinger on behalf of the people of America appreciated the fight that the Kurdistan Region has undertaken to demolish terrorism.

In another meeting, Chancellor Barzani and the Chairman of the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, Kay Granger touched upon the destruction of war and the financial burden of refugees in the Kurdistan Region.

Despite financial restraints, the Kurdistan Region has generously sheltered nearly 1.8 million Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees who fled parts of Iraq and Syria.

During the meeting, Chancellor Barzani spoke about the future of Erbil-Baghdad relations and stated that Baghdad’s decision to suspend the Kurdistan budget in 2014 damaged the region's economy.

[Kurdistan Region delegation headed by Chancellor Masrour Barzani meets with the Chairman of the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, Kay Granger]

Both officials discussed potential legislations for additional military and financial aid to the Kurdistan Region to relieve some of the growing pressure.

Chancellor Barzani talked about the huge sacrifices made by the Peshmerga forces in the fight against IS, stating that the international coalition has a moral obligation to ensure that Peshmerga forces are adequately equipped.

“We have been friends,” said Granger, referring to the US-Kurdistan relations.

In addition, Barzani met with Ed Royce, the Chairman of House Foreign Relations Committee and reviewed the progress in the campaign against IS in Iraq and a post-IS formula for Iraq's mosaic of ethnic and religious groups to coexist.

Chancellor Barzani explained that “Kurdistan Region is already in talks with Baghdad about how to shape Erbil-Baghdad ties for the future.”

For his part, Royce thanked the role the Peshmerga forces continue to play in and around Mosul in the fight against IS, adding that “We all know throughout history the sacrifices Kurds have made. We all know the injustices against the Kurdish people.”

[Meeting between the Kurdistan Region delegation and Ed Royce, the Chairman of House Foreign Relations Committee]

Chancellor Barzani, accompanied by the Chief of Staff to the President of the Kurdistan Region Fuad Hussein have been in Washington on an official visit, meeting with US officials from the current administration and the administration of the President-elect Donald Trump.

Chancellor Barzani’s schedule is busy this week with more meetings with US officials, think tanks. He will speak at numerous think-tanks in Washington, including at the Woodrow Wilson Center on Dec. 8 about governance and security in a post-IS Iraq. Chancellor Barzani will provide the perspective of the KRG on the liberation of Mosul, the future of governance in the region, and US engagement in Iraq

Editing by Ava Homa