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Immediate Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Ash Carter's Meeting with Iraqi Kurdistan Regional President Masoud Barzani

Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook provided the following readout:

Today Secretary of Defense Ash Carter met with Iraqi Kurdistan Regional President Masoud Barzani in Erbil, Iraq, where he reaffirmed the ‎United States' commitment to the lasting defeat of ISIL.‎ Secretary Carter recognized the sacrifices made by the Kurdish Peshmerga, and commended President Barzani on the battlefield successes they've achieved on the ground in coordination with U.S. and coalition air power. The secretary also noted that the United States would continue working by, with, and through the government of Iraq to support Kurdish forces in the fight against ISIL.