Masrour Barzani discusses Iranian attack on Koya with US-led Coalition

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Chancellor of the Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) affirmed that Kirkuk is occupied and the current situation in the city is not acceptable, as he stressed the necessity of resolving the problems in that city within the framework of the Iraqi Constitution

On Sunday, Masrour Barzani, KRSC Chancellor, received Col. Gregory Anderson, the Director of the Coalition’s Kurdistan Training Coordination Center (KTCC), and his accompanying delegation in Erbil, said a statement from the KRSC.

Barzani expressed his concern over the bombardment of the headquarters of the Iranian Kurdish opposition parties in Koya. He expressed his condolences to the families of the fallen and wished a speedy recovery for those who had been wounded, the statement explained.

Met Director of Kurdistan Coordination Center General Gregory Anderson − Talks included Iran's recent attack in Koya; measures to restore stability in disputed territories and efforts to reform Peshmerga Forces. Readout: https://t.co/xYAat5udZB pic.twitter.com/eLV1MsF02D

— Masrour Barzani (@masrour_barzani) September 9, 2018

The two men also discussed other political, security, and military developments in the region.

Both sides emphasized the importance of enhancing coordination between the forces of the Peshmerga and the Coalition more broadly.

According to the KRSC statement, the meeting highlighted the reorganization of the Peshmerga forces, as well as increasing their training, while it affirmed that strengthening the Peshmerga forces would lead to stability in the region.

The meeting also included a discussion of the security situation in areas beyond the Kurdistan Region’s administration, particularly the situation in Kirkuk.

Barzani expressed his concern over the deterioration of security there, saying that the reasons for that need to be eliminated.

“For us, Kirkuk is occupied and the events [happening there] are not acceptable,” the KRSC statement said. “It is necessary that the situation of Kirkuk be resolved within the articles of the Constitution,” the statement added.

Furthermore, both sides discussed the relationship between the Kurdistan Region and the US, stressing the need to affirm and strengthen the strategic ties between the two sides.

The meeting also shed light on the increasing activities of terrorist groups, warning that if serious steps were not taken to resolve the problems, terrorist groups may reappear in different names or forms and destabilize the situation, the KRSC statement concluded.

Editing by Laurie Mylroie