US Chairman: 'Kurds show inspirational courage'

WASHINGTON, United States (Kurdistan24) – Upon his visit to Erbil several weeks ago, a US official had strong praise for Peshmerga fighters in the Kurdistan Region frontlines.

Chairman of the House of Foreign Affairs Committee, Ed Royce, spoke with a Kurdistan24 reporter after arriving back to Washington, DC.

Royce had the opportunity to watch Peshmerga train while in Erbil and said he was impressed with the Kurdish forces’ training.

“For our delegation, [it was] such an impressive thing to see them train,” Royce stated.

The Chairman pointed to the gender equality of the battalions preparing to fight the Islamic State (IS). Royce added that it was “inspirational to see the courage that [Peshmerga have] shown” in the battle against IS.

He explains that the US needs to do more to support Peshmerga, highlighting his legislation that will directly arm Kurdish troops with the weapons they need.

“On behalf of the international community, all I can say is that those who are on…that 650 mile front against IS every day doing most of the fighting are Kurds, and it’s a reminder of their courage [and] commitment,” Royce told Kurdistan24.

The Chairman also revealed that the Peshmerga fighters described their success stories, further highlighting their bravery.

“We appreciate their efforts against [IS],” he concluded.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany

(Kurdistan24 team in Washington conducted the inteview)