Kurdistan
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani (right) received US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland (left), in Erbil on December 20, 2023. Photo: KRP
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani on Wednesday received a top US delegation, led by Washington’s Under Secretary for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, in Erbil. Both sides called on the Iraqi government to prevent attacks on American troops in the country, according to the Kurdistan Region Presidency.
The US delegation also included the US ambassador to Baghdad and consul general to Erbil.
“They discussed a wide range of issues including the US relationship with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, the political and security situation in the country, Erbil-Baghdad relations, and the internal situation in the Kurdistan Region,” read a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency.
“Both sides emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of diplomatic envoys and the security of US and coalition forces in Iraq. They agreed that Iraqi authorities should take the necessary actions to bring an end to these attacks,” it added, referring to the recent drone and rocket attacks against US troops in Iraq.
The US delegation also included the US ambassador to Baghdad and consul general to Erbil.
“They discussed a wide range of issues including the US relationship with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, the political and security situation in the country, Erbil-Baghdad relations, and the internal situation in the Kurdistan Region,” read a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency.
“Both sides emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of diplomatic envoys and the security of US and coalition forces in Iraq. They agreed that Iraqi authorities should take the necessary actions to bring an end to these attacks,” it added, referring to the recent drone and rocket attacks against US troops in Iraq.
US troops in Iraq and Syria have come under the target of a series of rocket and drone attacks by pro-Iran militias since mid-October, in retaliation to Washington’s support for Israel in its war on Gaza.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a network of shadow Iraqi militia groups backed by Iran and affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), claimed responsibility for most of the attacks, including the recent ones.
A series of rockets targeted the US embassy in Baghdad earlier this month, causing no casualties. The headquarters of the Iraqi National Security Service in Baghdad, Erbil International Airport, and a civilian building near the airport were also hit with drones and rockets on the same day.
There have been at least 92 attacks targeting US interests in Iraq and Syria since October 17, Pentagon Spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder said on December 12 , stressing that the strikes “have largely been unsuccessful.”
The Pentagon said earlier this month that at least 66 US personnel had received “non-serious” injuries as a result of the attacks.
Around 2,500 American troops in Iraq and 900 in Syria are leading an international coalition through Operation Inherent Resolve that has assisted Kurdish, Iraqi, and local Syrian forces in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) which once held swathes of land in Iraq and Syria but was declared territorially defeated in 2019.
President Barzani and the US delegation also discussed the relations of Kurdish political parties.
“In regards to the internal situation in the Kurdistan Region, both sides recognized the significance of unity and understanding among political parties, particularly between the PUK and the KDP in the Kurdistan Region and in Iraq. In this regard, President Nechirvan Barzani pointed to a rapprochement and improvement in relations,” said the statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency.
The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) are ruling parties in the Region.
Iraq’s latest provincial elections and latest developments in the Middle East, including the Israel-Gaza war, were among other topics discussed.
Nuland also met with Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in Erbil.
They discussed Erbil-Baghdad issues, Kurdish constitutional rights, and the “strengthening of the federal system and consolidating democratic principles in Iraq,” according to a statement from the Kurdistan Regional Government.
The top US official also held a meeting with the Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani in Baghdad.
“The meeting focused on a review of bilateral relations between the two countries and discussions on strategies to enhance cooperation in various areas, in line with the Strategic Framework Agreement between both nations,” read a statement from Sudani’s office.
Sudani “reaffirmed the commitment to safeguarding diplomatic missions and sites for coalition advisors, expressing strong opposition to any actions taken by any foreign entity on Iraqi territory,” added the statement.
The head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM) General Michael "Erik" Kurilla earlier this month visited American bases in Iraq and Syria which had recently been targeted with drones and rockets by pro-Iran militants. He also met with Sudani.
The statement also cited Nuland as saying that her country is “seeking to end the military operations in Gaza promptly and pursue a political path that safeguards the legitimate rights of the Palestinians.”
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