Today in Erbil, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and Commander in Chief of the Peshmerga Forces Nechirvan Barzani to reaffirm the United States' partnership with the Kurdistan Regional Government. He underscored U.S. commitment to a secure, stable, and prosperous Iraqi Kurdistan Region as part of federal Iraq.
Secretary Austin expressed his appreciation for the Peshmerga's heroic contributions to defeat-ISIS operations. He emphasizedthat U.S. forces remain in Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi government to advise, assist, and enable the Iraqi security forces, including the Peshmerga, to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS. The leaders affirmed the importance of the Ministry of Peshmerga's commitment to advance the unification and professionalization of its forces, with U.S. support, as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Defense and the Kurdistan Regional Government. The leaders also discussed threats to the stability of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.
Secretary Austin also had the opportunity to visit with President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party Masoud Barzani to express his appreciation for the contributions of the Peshmerga in the fight against ISIS and the way forward to a secure, stable, and prosperous Iraqi Kurdistan region.