ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The speaker of the Arab Parliament on Monday congratulated the Kurdistan Region’s forces for “recent large victories” against the Islamic State (ISIS) group and expressed condolences for Peshmerga losses, a statement from the Kurdish presidency said.

It reported that Kurdish President Masoud Barzani met with Arab Parliament Speaker Ahmed bin Mohammed in Erbil, and thanked him for the support provided for the many war refugees hosted by Kurdistan.

"During hardship, they helped the Kurdistan Regional Government assist refugees fleeing to the region," Barzani reportedly told the Arab official.

Mohammed "congratulated recent large victories by the Peshmerga against ISIS and praised the bravery of the troops and the dedication of the Kurdish nation in their fight to protect humanity” against the militants, the statement from the presidency said.

It added, Barzani told Mohammed that "territories held by ISIS should be liberated in order to resolve the continuing refugee crisis."

On Wednesday, Peshmerga forces repulsed ISIS in a lengthy firefight on multiple front-lines, losing six Peshmerga lives in the battles and 13 wounded. The Peshmerga reported at least 70 militants killed.

Rudaw