ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — US Vice President Mike Pence discussed curtailing the influence of Iran-backed militias in Iraq in a call with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani Tuesday night.
"Vice President Pence emphasized the United States’ concern that Iran-backed militias continue to undermine Iraq’s security and sovereignty," read a statement from the White House about the call.
The call between Pence and Barzani focused on security and human rights issues in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. The two discussed security in northern Iraq and the disputed Iraqi-Kurdish territories, as well as the return of displaced people to their homes, according to the White House statement.
"President Barzani and Vice President Pence discussed the security situation in northern Iraq, including the importance of enhancing efforts to bring stability to the disputed territories and allowing for the return of Iraqis, including religious and ethnic minority communities, displaced by conflict," the statement read.
‘Militia leaders responsible for human rights abuses’
In relation to the security situation, Pence and Barzani talked about the role of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), also known as Hashd al-Shaabi, in Iraq. The largely Shiite militias were formed by a religious edict in 2014 to fight the Islamic State (ISIS), and many receive support from Iran. They also fought Kurdish Peshmerga forces over the disputed territories in 2017 following the Kurdistan independence referendum.
The PMF’s relationship with Iran has raised tensions between them and Washington, and the US sanctions some PMF figures. Lately, some in the PMF have accused the US and Israel of being behind mysterious explosions at PMF military installations. The US denies being involved, while Israel has not.
Pence told Barzani the US is considering further actions to weaken the PMF’s power in Iraq.
“The U.S. Government will consider additional steps to degrade such groups’ influence,” the statement read.
Pence noted that some PMF leaders have been designated under the Magnitsky Act - a US law that allows the US to sanction people deemed human rights abusers.
“He noted the United States’ July 18 “Global Magnitsky” designation of militia leaders responsible for human rights abuses in northern Iraq,” read the statement.
‘Providing refuge for displaced civilians’
Pence, a devout Christian, has been vocal about the plight of Christians in the Middle East, who suffered under the Islamic State (ISIS) and have left the region in great numbers.
On the call, Pence praised Barzani and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for hosting all displaced Iraqis who fled ISIS.
"Vice President Pence commended President Barzani and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for providing refuge for displaced civilians and for leading Iraq's efforts to protect those impacted by conflict in recent years," said the readout.
The two also addressed the genocide ISIS carried out against members of the Yezidi ethno-religious community in Iraq.
"The two leaders noted the fifth anniversary earlier this month of ISIS's horrific assault on the Yazidi community in Sinjar and pledged to cooperate to prevent any resurgence of ISIS activity,” the readout said.
'Progress made in talks'
Pence and Barzani also discussed Erbil-Baghdad relations. The relationship has improved since the fallout after the independence referendum under the leadership of Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi. However, the two are still at odds over the KRG’s independent oil sales.
The 2019 federal budget stipulates that the KRG must hand over some oil to Baghdad to receive its share of the federal budget, which the KRG has yet to do. There is also a lack of security coordination in some of the disputed territories where ISIS is present.
There has been progress on the oil issue, according to the readout.
“President Barzani and Vice President Pence discussed recent progress made in talks between KRG and Government of Iraq officials and the Vice President said the United States supports timely resolution of outstanding issues, including budget allocations and oil sales,” it read.
A statement released by the office of the Kurdistan Presidency echoed that of the White House.
Barzani told Pence that committees formed between Iraqi and Kurdish officials to discuss oil and security will help further mend relations, according to the Kurdistan Region president’s statement.
“The Kurdistan Region is willing to resolve its issues with the Iraqi government through dialogue and hailed the work of committees formed by the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Iraqi Federal Government,” read the statement.
Barzani also pledged to support minorities, saying the Kurdistan Region is “always supporting the right of minority groups" and working to assist them to "deepen the culture of co-existence and expressed the Kurdistan Region's willingness to provide security and reconstruction of their areas so they can return home."
