Brekelmans was received by Peshmerga Minister Shoresh Ismail at Erbil International Airport and is expected to meet with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani during the day, the source said.
His meeting with President Barzani will discuss reforms of the Peshmerga ministry and the continued assistance of Amsterdam to the Peshmerga, according to the source, with the Netherlands having an active role in the US-led coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS).
The visit comes two days after Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto visited Erbil, also meeting President Barzani and senior Kurdish officials to discuss the fight against ISIS and reaffirm support for the Kurdish Peshmerga forces.
The Netherlands has been actively involved in the Kurdistan Region. As a member of the US-led coalition against ISIS, Amsterdam has helped to lead and implement a Peshmerga reform plan.
It is also collaborating with the Kurdistan Region’s private sector to prepare young people for the job market through education, highlighting projects such as “Co-create Your City.”
Western countries have encouraged initiatives to professionalize, train, and most importantly unify the Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga forces. Despite their recent success and cooperation with the anti-ISIS coalition, many units are politically aligned.