Barzani, Gen. Austin discuss Peshmerga needs

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (K24) – President of the Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani urged the international community to aid Peshmerga forces, as the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is currently suffering from a financial crisis.

On Thursday, Barzani met U.S. Central Command General (CENTCOM) Lloyd Austin and his accompanied delegates in Erbil, the regional capital.

The meeting was also attended by the U.S. ambassador to Iraq Stuart Jones and other senior officials.

In the meeting, Barzani and Austin reviewed the latest military operations against the Islamic State (IS) in Nineveh and Anbar Provinces. “They stressed the importance of providing for the needs of the Peshmerga forces, especially at a time where the KRG is facing a big financial crisis,” a Kurdistan Regional Presidency (KRP) statement read.

Furthermore, Austin stated that the U.S. will continue to support the Kurdistan Region in the battle against IS. Barzani and Austin discussed the bravery of Peshmerga on the front lines who have liberated large swaths of territories from IS in northern Iraq.

Plans for the liberation of Mosul was another point of discussion in the meeting. Both sides agreed that Peshmerga, Iraqi security forces, and coalition warplanes should cooperate to end IS occupation in Mosul.

The pair pointed out the importance of the KRG delegates visit with high-ranked officials in Washington, DC earlier this month. During their meeting, the KRG delegates emphasized the need for a solution to the current financial crisis in the Region, and lobbying support for Peshmerga forces in the fight against IS.

Reporting by Mewan Dolamari
Editing by Karzan Sulaivany