VIDEO: US Consul General applauds ‘valiant’ Peshmerga

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The US Consul General in Erbil on Thursday applauded the success of Peshmerga against the Islamic State (IS), adding the US would remain a partner and friend of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) after the war.

Speaking to reporters, Ken Gross, the US Consul General in Erbil, recognized the bravery of the Kurdish forces in their fight against IS, especially in the recent Mosul offensive.

“I’d like to praise the bravery of the Peshmerga and the Iraqi security forces in their fight to liberate Mosul,” he said.

“I’d also like to commend them on their sacrifice, a number of them, of course, have paid with their lives or been injured in the fight to liberate the rest of the country,” Gross added.

Moreover, the Consul General reassured that the US would remain by the side of the KRG even after the war against IS.

“I would like to assure you the United States government will remain a partner and a friend of the [KRG] and of Iraq [post-IS],” he stated.

Additionally, responding to a Kurdistan24 reporter, Gross said the US’ foreign policy does not usually change drastically with a new administration, referring to the upcoming US elections.

He added any new administration would continue to cooperate with the KRG against terrorism.

The Consul General also addressed the influx of displaced persons housed by the Kurdistan Region and outlined the US’ continued role in helping with the burden.

Gross reminded the crowd the US had provided nearly one billion USD for the provision of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

He explained the assistance had gone to international organizations and NGOs who provide food, shelter, clothing, and medicine for IDPs.