M. Barzani meets Iraqi defence minister for talks on security developments

Masrour Barzani received the Minister of Defence in Iraq Khaled al-Obeidi and Commander of the Iraqi Air Force Anwar Hamdman for talks on the security and military developments in the region and methods of coordination between the two sides.

Their meeting focused on the potential liberation of Mosul and its impact after discussing Kurdish forces drove out Islamic State out of strategic town of Sinjar.

The Chancellor of the Kurdistan Region and Head of Security Council (KRSC), Mr Barzani pointed out that the region is dealing with discrepancies including rivals stirring sectarian issues. He went on to explain that the Peshmerga are the most powerful force on the ground fighting terrorists so it would be essential for sides to cooperate to effectively root out extremists.

Mr Barzani also noted that the next phase after the liberation of Mosul is important for the Kurdistan region, and must first be clear that there is an agreement on the lines which will replace the Peshmerga, and on how a balanced management of the province would be set, in the way that does not allow repetition of the errors against the various components in this province.

In the context of the meeting, Mr al-Obedi praised Peshmerga’s capabilities and highly appreciated their heroism, and pointed out that Baghdad's cooperation with the Peshmerga was not at the required level, and expressed his wishes of further relations with Peshmerga forces.