Obama’s envoy meets senior Kurdish officials, discusses Mosul offensive

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – US Special Presidential Envoy Brett McGurk discussed the Mosul operation and the role of Peshmerga forces in the offensive with the Kurdistan President and Prime Minister on Saturday.

In the meeting with the President of the Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani, McGurk and his delegation praised the sacrifices of the Kurdish forces.

The US delegation also applauded the role of President Barzani’s leadership in defeating the so-called Islamic State (IS), according to the Kurdistan Region Presidency (KRP) office.

The envoy was accompanied by the US Ambassador to Iraq Douglas Silliman, the US Consul General Ken Gross, and other diplomats.

During the meeting, both sides discussed the latest developments in Mosul and the situation on the ground in the fight against IS.

McGurk praised the cooperation between the Iraqi army and Peshmerga within the framework of the Mosul offensive.

Moreover, the Envoy also met the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Nechirvan Barzani.

The pair discussed Erbil and Baghdad relations following the liberation of Mosul, the KRG media office stated.

PM Barzani mentioned the KRG would continue its dialogue with the federal government of Iraq to resolve bilateral problems.

Moreover, he said the KRG would cooperate with the Iraqi army and coalition countries to clear the area from IS extremists and bring stability to the region.

The PM highlighted the need for a plan to build trust between the different ethnic and religious groups of Nineveh Plain in northern Iraq, especially so Yezidis (Ezidi) and Christians can return home.

PM Barzani called for proper measures against those who helped IS in committing their crimes.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany