Barzani discussed Mosul operation with Biden

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – US Vice President Joe Biden met the President of the Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani on Thursday and discussed the latest developments in combating the Islamic State (IS) extremists.

On Thursday, Biden made an unexpected visit to Baghdad and met Iraqi top officials, including the Prime Minister of Iraq Haider al-Abadi and Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri.

Following his meetings in Baghdad, he flew to Erbil and met with President Barzani. Biden was accompanied by diplomats and delegates of the US State Department. Biden's last visit to Iraq and Kurdistan Region was five years ago.

In the meeting, Barzani highlighted the US military and financial support for the Kurdistan Region and Peshmerga forces for defeating the Islamic State (IS) group in northern Iraq.

Biden thanked Barzani and the people of the Kurdistan Region in fighting against the extremists and putting efforts in stabilizing the political turmoil in Iraq in general.

The politicians also discussed the latest development in combating IS in Iraq and Syria. They talked about the military coordination between the international coalition, Peshmerga and Iraqi security forces in liberating the second largest city in Iraq, Mosul, from jihadists.

Post-Mosul liberation was another topic of discussion as they highlighted the political stability and administration of the city since it is home to different ethnic and religious groups.

Another part of the meeting was about expanding relations between the Kurdistan Region and the US as well as continuing cooperation and dialogue between both sides regarding the political situation in Iraq.

Biden's visit to the Kurdistan Region followed after the latest US decision to provide over $415 million to Peshmerga forces in the fight against IS.

Reporting by Mewan Dolamari
Editing by Ava Homa