President Barzani: Peshmerga’s morale remains high

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (K24) – Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani stated on Tuesday that Kurdish Peshmerga forces morale remains high while they continue to defeat Islamic State (IS) in northern Iraq and Kurdistan.

President Barzani met United Nations (UN) Secretary-General to Iraq, Jan Kubis and his accompanied delegation in Erbil. Barzani and Kubis discussed the latest developments on the front lines.

Barzani mentioned that although Kurdistan is going through a critical financial crisis, Peshmerga's morale continues to be positive in the fight against IS.

Additionally, both sides touched upon the upcoming military operations against extremists in the city of Mosul and other areas of Iraq.

The current political and economic situation in the Region was a significant topic of discussion and Barzani highlighted the presence of nearly two million refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) that has created a substantial burden for the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

During the meeting, Kubis commented on the role of the KRG in providing basic needs to refugees and IDPs.

The pair spoke of the financial crisis; more specifically, how it is causing tremendous pressure for Kurdistan Region as the KRG strives to pay the salaries of civil servants and Peshmerga forces.

Additionally, Kubis and his delegation met Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani in Erbil to discuss the current situation in the Region.

Kubis noted that he wanted to visit the Region before flying to UN headquarters in New York City where he will discuss and consider the KRG’s needs.

Reporting by Mewan Dolamari
Editing by Karzan Sulaivany