'US Reaffirms Support for KRG, Peshmerga Forces,' Warburg

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining strong relations with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and providing continued support to the Peshmerga forces, a US State Department official has confirmed.

On Tuesday, Samuel Warburg, regional spokesperson for the US State Department, stated in an interview with Kurdistan24 that the administration of President Donald Trump will sustain its strategic partnership with the KRG and work to further strengthen bilateral ties.

"President Trump's administration will certainly continue working with the Kurdistan Regional Government and develop bilateral relations," Warburg emphasized, underscoring Washington’s longstanding support for the Kurdish region.

Continued Military and Security Cooperation

Warburg also reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to the Peshmerga forces, stating that the US will continue its military and logistical support within the framework of the international coalition against ISIS.

This pledge comes as Kurdish forces remain a key partner in combating extremism and ensuring stability in Iraq and the broader Middle East.

The US has played a pivotal role in bolstering the Peshmerga’s capabilities over the years, supplying advanced weaponry, training, and intelligence-sharing efforts. This partnership has been instrumental in driving back and defeating ISIS and securing key territories in the region.

US Pressures Iraq on Kurdistan Oil Exports

The reaffirmation of US-KRG ties follows recent reports from Reuters, citing eight sources, that the Trump administration urged Iraq to resume oil exports from the Kurdistan Region as soon as possible.

The suspension of oil exports has been a major economic challenge for the Kurdistan Region, affecting its fiscal stability and economic growth.

Washington's pressure on Baghdad to facilitate Kurdish oil exports highlights the importance of the KRG’s economic autonomy and the broader geopolitical considerations at play.

The US has consistently advocated for an equitable revenue-sharing agreement between Erbil and Baghdad to ensure economic sustainability for the Kurdish region.

A Strategic Partnership That Endures

The alliance between the United States and the Kurdistan Region has evolved over the past two decades. Following the fall of the Baath regime in 2003, US-KRG relations expanded to include military, security, and economic cooperation.

The Peshmerga’s collaboration with US forces was pivotal in the ousting of Saddam Hussein’s regime, as well as in subsequent efforts to combat terrorism.

The strategic bond between Washington and the Kurdistan Region has remained unwavering. The fight against ISIS further solidified this alliance, as Kurdish forces played a frontline role in defeating the terrorist organization with US-led coalition support.