KRG envoy to Washington thanks Obama administration for supporting Kurdistan

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) envoy to Washington thanked the former US administration for its backing of Kurds and the Kurdistan Region.

Bayan Sami Abdulrahman, the KRG’s Representative to the US, told Kurdistan24 former US President Barack Obama’s administration had been supportive of the Kurdistan Region and the KRG’s representation in Washington despite differences on some topics.

“In the past two years, the Obama administration had been supportive despite differences as the KRG had been seeking direct arms supply to the Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga without going through Baghdad,” Abdulrahman said.

Abdulrahman also thanked the Obama administration for the military support provided in the fight against the Islamic State (IS).

Moreover, she pointed to the humanitarian aid the US delivered through funding of the United Nations’ projects in support of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) fleeing the threat of IS.

Abdulrahman revealed the KRG delegation had spoken with President Donald Trump’s advisers.

“[Trump’s administration] wants the Kurdistan Region to be successful, and wants to defeat [IS] in Iraq as soon as possible,” she stated.

“These are important things for us [the Kurdistan Region],” Abdulrahman told Kurdistan24. “These have only been talks and we will see how things are going to be practically.”

Abdulrahman added the KRG representation in Washington was invited to and attended Trump’s inauguration.  

.@KurdistanRegion thanks Pres. #Obama and welcomes Pres. @realDonaldTrump. Good to be at inauguration and witness a great American tradition pic.twitter.com/yQ55oQLbnZ

— Bayan Sami Rahman (@BayanRahman) January 20, 2017

On Aug. 7, 2014, former US President Obama authorized air strikes against IS extremists in Iraq.

The air strikes prevented the insurgents from moving to Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, which protects tens of thousands of refugees and IDPs.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany