ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Kirkuk governor Dr. Najmadeen Karim met Tuesday in Washington DC with high-profile American Senator John McCain, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and called for more attacks against the Islamic State.

"The recent Kirkuk stability followed the sacrifice of the Peshmerga and the support of Kirkuk elements for them," the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) media quoted Karim Tuesday as saying in the meeting. Karim also reportedly said Kirkuk had become a symbol of coexistence and peace in Iraq.

According to PUK media, Karim praised the significant role of the US-led coalition in striking ISIS positions, and asked for more air raids from US warplanes in Kirkuk province.

The governor also brought up with McCain that Kirkuk is facing several economic crises and that the city's administration was unable to continue welcoming more refugees fleeing ISIS from other parts of Iraq.

"Despite economic crisis, the Kirkuk administration has opened its doors to 600,000 refugees," said Karim, praising the help of the people of Kirkuk in welcoming IDPs into the city.

McCain according to PUK media responded positively to the Kirkuk governor’s request for more air strikes, and affirmed that the US would continue its support to Iraq and Kirkuk in particular.

Rudaw