Kurdistan President welcomes German decision to extend troop presence in Iraq
“ISIS is still a threat to international peace and security, and continued collective effort is required to counter and eradicate terror.”
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ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Wednesday welcomed the German government's decision to keep its troops in Iraq until at least the end of October, a move the German parliament is yet to ratify.
"I welcome and commend German cabinet's decision to extend its troops deployment to Iraq, and hope that the Bundestag (German parliament) will follow suit," he said.
"ISIS is still a threat to international peace and security, and continued collective effort is required to counter and eradicate terror."
Since Nov. 27, ISIS militants have increased attacks and killed 23 people in Iraq's disputed territories, including Peshmerga and civilians of the Kurdistan Region. The attacks showed the continued threat of ISIS.
Deutsche Welle reported on Wednesday that the German army's mandate for operations in Iraq allows for stationing up to 500 soldiers in the country. Berlin did, however, end its reconnaissance missions over Syria.
The decision comes after a visit of German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht to German armed forces in Erbil, Jan. 9, 2022, where she met with President Nechirvan Barzani.
Read More: German defense minister praises Kurdistan's role in anti-ISIS fight
"I would like once again to express my respect for the efforts of Kurdistan Region in the fight against terrorism and the fight against Daesh, which is a very harsh fight claimed many victims," Lambrecht said during a press briefing at the Erbil airbase.
Before coming to the Kurdistan Region, the German official visited Jordan and the Iraqi capital, meeting with top officials. The German military is overseeing various projects that are assisting the region's Peshmerga forces, including reforms.
Read More: Germany' still committed to the safety and stability of Kurdistan Region': Col. Markus Meyer
"German military projects for the Peshmerga include a medical facility in Erbil, a school for military training, and other smaller projects," German Colonel Markus Meyer, Commander of the German military forces in Iraq, told Kurdistan 24 last year.