“The Kurdistan Regional Government applauds the conferees for approving the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and thanks the US Congress for its continued support of Kurdistan and the Peshmerga,” read a KRG statement released by its office in the United States on Wednesday.
The spending act has passed both legislative chambers in the US Congress, and differences between the House and Senate versions are being resolved before it is put on President Donald Trump's desk.
The 2017 fiscal year saw the KRG receive $415 million for the Peshmerga. It was sent to Erbil in monthly instalments for Peshmerga salaries at the height of the war against ISIS in Mosul.
Kurdish forces are eligible to receive funds, but the September 18 version of the bill it stated they must have "a national security mission" or be "at a base or facility of the Government of Iraq" involved in "activities of the Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq."
“We are here to reaffirm our commitment to a long-term partnership with the United States. We see the United States as a vital ally and partner. We are pleased that the United States Officials reiterated their commitments to the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. Moving forward, we have encouraged the US Government to remain heavily engaged in Iraq,” read a statement from Mustafa's office.
KRG Department of Foreign Relations Head Mustafa met with Brett McGurk, the special presidential envoy to the de-ISIS coalition, Trevor Hough, a special advisor to Vice President Mike Pence, staff from the National Security Council and State Department, as well as senators and congressmen.
Mustafa re-affirmed the KRG's commitment to resolve issues with Baghdad through “political dialogue.”
He also “stressed the need for further engagement from the United States and other members of the international community to ensure de-escalation and withdrawal of militia groups from the disputed territories,” according to his office.
US Senator Marco Rubio, a former Republican frontrunner for the presidency, was among those who met with Mustafa.
“Good discussion today with Mustafa on regional security and Iran's malign activity. Important that leaders in Baghdad and Erbil facilitate dialogue to reduce tensions and restore stability to all Iraq,” wrote Rubio in a tweet.
In the wake of Kurdistan’s independence vote, the Iraqi army and Iran-backed paramilitaries took federal control of disputed areas in mid-October from the Kurdish forces, resulting in deadly clashes.
The KRG in Erbil said on Tuesday that it respects a ruling by Iraq's Federal Court that said the Constitution is a guarantor of the unity of Iraq, which is a federal, independent and fully sovereign state. The KRG saw the ruling as the basis for dialogue with Baghdad.
Mustafa is accompanied on his trip by the KRG’s representative in the United States, Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman. They are scheduled to attend the 2017 Halifax International Security Forum this week.
