VIDEO: Former US Ambassador ‘proud’ of Peshmerga success

WASHINGTON, United States (Kurdistan24) – A former United States Ambassador to Iraq praised the bravery and sacrifices of the Kurdish Peshmerga fighters battling the Islamic State (IS).

James F. Jeffrey, the former US Ambassador to Iraq and Turkey, spoke to Kurdistan24 about the role of Peshmerga in the recent Mosul operation.

Jeffrey said he was “proud” of the success of the Kurdish forces in defeating IS throughout the past two years, especially during the Mosul offensive.

“I’m so proud of all the Iraqis including our friends in the north, the Peshmerga, [and] the heroic efforts they’re taking to destroy [IS] in Mosul,” Jeffrey stated.

Moreover, he applauded the cooperation of the Kurdish and Iraqi forces for restoring Iraq “to a unified and peaceful country.”

The former US Ambassador emphasized the role of both forces was “essential” in the fight against IS.

He also said the “people of Kurdistan should be proud of their leadership,” during the fight to eradicate the insurgents from the region.

Jeffrey pointed to the work required post-IS to maintain the safety and security of civilians in Mosul and the rest of the country.

“I think there will be a very big effort to restore security, governance, and basic relief supplies to the population of Mosul and start rebuilding,” he said.

“That’s going to be a very important mission for everybody involved in Iraq and in the international community,” Jeffrey continued.

Additionally, the former Ambassador discussed a new agreement on oil exports with Iraq, adding that the cooperation between Erbil and Baghdad is a “good sign.”

Editing by Ava Homa

(Abbas Zangana in Washington, DC conducted the interview)