Reber Ahmed Warns ISIS Remains Active, Exploits Security Gaps

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - ISIS remains active and continues to exploit security gaps between Kurdistan Region and federal forces, Interior Minister Reber Ahmed said Tuesday, calling for additional joint brigades and stronger coordination with Baghdad following the withdrawal of coalition forces.

Ahmed said intelligence information shows that the group continues to operate and cause casualties despite sustained operations by Iraqi and Kurdistan Region security forces.

"Those who say ISIS has come to an end are mistaken," he said. "They are active every day and casualties continue to occur."

The minister said two joint brigades had been established in coordination with Baghdad in recent years to address security gaps between the two sides' forces, but argued that the existing deployment was insufficient.

Additional joint brigades are needed to protect those areas, he said.

Ahmed placed the issue within a wider need for closer security cooperation between Erbil and Baghdad, particularly after the coalition withdrawal.

"There is a significant need for Kurdistan Region and federal forces to increase coordination in intelligence sharing, joint operations and strategic planning," he said.

He added that meetings between Erbil and Baghdad continue across political, economic and security fields and described Iraq's permanent Constitution as the reference for resolving disputes between the two sides.

Ahmed also addressed repeated missile and drone attacks against the Kurdistan Region, saying the Region had been targeted under different pretexts despite seeking to remain outside wider regional conflicts.

"The Kurdistan Region has always been a peaceful place and a safe haven for anyone in need of protection," he said.

Ahmed said the KRG's position was not to become part of regional conflicts and called on all sides to respect that stance.

"There is no justification for targeting the Kurdistan Region," he added.

On relations with Iraq's new federal government, Ahmed reiterated the Kurdistan Region's support for Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's cabinet and said its success would contribute to greater stability across Iraq.

"Our position in the Kurdistan Region is to support this cabinet so that its program succeeds, because the success of its program will lead to a more peaceful and stable Iraq," he said.

Ahmed added that the KRG intends to maintain contact with Iraq's newly appointed interior minister and continue security coordination with the federal government.

The Kurdistan Region interior minister also responded briefly to a question about a recent security meeting and agreement between Iraq and Iran.

He declined to assess the talks because Kurdistan Region representatives had not participated.

"We did not participate in that meeting in Baghdad, so I will not comment on a meeting that we did not attend," Ahmed said.

His remarks placed the continued ISIS threat, unresolved security gaps and post-coalition coordination at the center of the Region's immediate security priorities, while stressing that cooperation with Baghdad remains necessary in addressing those challenges.