President Barzani, Estonian defense minister discuss defense ties, regional developments

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Wednesday met with Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur to discuss strengthening security and defense cooperation, as well as Estonia's continued role in the Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State (ISIS).

A statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency cited President Barzani as expressing “sincere gratitude and appreciation for Estonia's unwavering support and assistance to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, particularly in our collective fight against terrorism.” He also emphasized the Kurdistan Region’s readiness “to strengthen joint cooperation with Estonia in all fields.”

For his part, Minister Pevkur affirmed Estonia’s commitment to expanding relations and deepening cooperation with both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. He conveyed his country's “appreciation for the Kurdistan Region’s role in the fight against ISIS” and broader counter-terrorism efforts, the Kurdistan Region Presidency said.

The talks also covered the status of Erbil-Baghdad relations, the situation in neighboring Syria, recent developments in the Middle East, and other matters of shared interest.

Also attending the meeting were Kurdistan Region Vice President Sheikh Jaafar Sheikh Mustafa, Peshmerga Minister Shoresh Ismail and Peshmerga Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Issa Ozeir.

ISIS captured large areas of northern and central Iraq in 2014, but its self-declared caliphate was dismantled in 2017 after Iraqi and Kurdish forces, backed by the US-led Global Coalition, reclaimed the territory.

Estonia has been part of the coalition since 2016. In April, Tallinn deployed up to 110 personnel to Erbil, tasked with base defense, rapid response, and providing security for coalition advisors during missions outside Erbil Air Base.

While Estonia’s role in the coalition is not widely publicized, its contributions include counter-terrorism financing, intelligence sharing, and humanitarian aid.