US Secretary of State expresses support for Peshmerga in phone call with President Barzani

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The US Secretary of State on Tuesday spoke with the Kurdistan Region President about the developments in the fight against the Islamic State (IS).

The US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson contacted President Masoud Barzani to discuss the progress in the battle against IS, the Kurdistan Region Presidency (KRP) said in a statement on Wednesday.

According to the KRP report, the US Secretary of State highlighted the role of Peshmerga forces and congratulated their victories in the fight against IS extremists.

In the phone call, Tillerson promised continuous US support for the Kurdish forces and praised the coordination between the Peshmerga and Iraqi Army in the battle against IS, the statement read.

President Barzani thanked the US for the backing it provides the Kurdistan Region Peshmerga forces, the statement concluded.

The Peshmerga is considered one of the most effective ground troops defeating the insurgent group, and have successfully liberated large swaths of territory.

On April 19, the US Department of State approved the sale of military equipment to the Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga forces worth USD $295.6 million.

According to the latest data provided by the Peshmerga Ministry, since the emergence of IS in June 2014, nearly 1,700 Peshmerga soldiers have been martyred, and around 10,000 have been wounded.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany