Kurdistan supports Iraqi efforts to prevent attacks on international targets: Barzani

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani said on Friday he is concerned about recent attacks directed at American military and diplomatic sites in Iraq and offered assistance to Iraq’s leaders to combat the security threat.

“We follow with great concern latest threats & attacks against diplomatic missions & international coalition bases who are protecting Iraqis from terror. We support efforts of Iraqi leaders to prevent more attacks & stand ready to help ensure security & stability in the country,” Barzani tweeted.

Rocket and improvised explosive device (IED) attacks on international targets in Iraq, including the United States diplomatic mission in Baghdad, bases housing US-led Coalition troops, and military convoys under contract to the Coalition, have become increasingly frequent as Iranian-backed militia groups demand the US withdraw from Iraq.

Earlier on Friday, influential Iraqi cleric Muqtada al-Sadr called for an investigation into the attacks, saying they are a threat to the present and future security of Iraq.

His suggestion received the support of the prime minister and parliament speaker. Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said “corruption and illegal weapons have no place in Iraq.”

Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi called on the government, parliament, and political forces to take notice of Sadr’s proposal.

Iranian-backed Iraqi militias are believed to be behind the attacks.

European Union Ambassador to Iraq Martin Huth, in an interview with Rudaw on Thursday, said the rocket attacks are “reckless acts” for which there is “no justification.”

American and international forces are in Iraq as part of the global Coalition to combat the Islamic State (ISIS). The terror group was declared militarily defeated in the country in 2017, but remains a threat, especially in regions disputed between Erbil and Baghdad. The Coalition this summer began handing bases over to Iraqi forces and the United States will withdraw some 2,200 from Iraq this month.

In a meeting this week with the US special representative to the Coalition, James Jeffrey, Barzani said it is important for the Coalition to continue its mission in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq “until the complete elimination of ISIS networks in the region.”

Kurdistan supports Iraqi efforts to prevent attacks on international targets: Barzani

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