ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Italian Defense Minister Elisabetta Trenta arrived in Erbil on Sunday where she is scheduled to meet with the prime minister of the Kurdistan Region.

Trenta was received by Interior Minister Karim Sinjari at Erbil International Airport.

Italy is a member of the US-led coalition to defeat ISIS. Several of its ministers have visited the Kurdistan Region in recent years.

Italy has supported, trained, advised, and assisted Iraqi Security Forces and KRG Peshmerga.


Over the last three to four years, the coalition has trained 15,000 Peshmerga soldiers.

All Peshmerga forces are officially under the command of the prime ministry. KRG PM Nechirvan Barzani has had regular meetings with Italian military officials and diplomats.

Former Italian Defense Minister Roberta Pinotti visited the Kurdistan Region in early May.

This is a developing story...

Rudaw