Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met on Thursday with Maj. Gen. Kevin C. Leahy, the newly appointed commander-in-chief of the US-led coalition forces in Iraq and Syria, to discuss ongoing security cooperation and regional stability. The meeting, which also included the US Consul General in Erbil, Steve Bitner, centered on the current security situation in Kurdistan, Iraq, and Syria, as well as efforts to combat the persistent threat of Islamic State (IS) and other terrorist organizations in the region.

PM Barzani congratulated Maj. Gen. Leahy on his new role and expressed his deep appreciation for the continuous support provided by the US and its coalition partners to Kurdistan. He emphasized the critical importance of this international support in maintaining the region’s security and stability, particularly in the face of ongoing threats from terrorist groups.

Maj. Gen. Leahy highlighted the strong partnership between the Kurdistan Region and the US, underscoring the significance of their joint operations in curbing the spread of terrorism and maintaining regional security. He reaffirmed the coalition’s commitment to working closely with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and other Iraqi forces to sustain these efforts.

The meeting also addressed progress in the ongoing reforms within the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs, particularly the unification of the Peshmerga forces. Both leaders recognized the importance of these reforms in enhancing the operational capabilities of the Peshmerga, making them more effective in responding to threats and ensuring security across Kurdistan. The coalition’s support for these reform efforts was acknowledged as a vital component of their success.

The discussion concluded with both parties reiterating their commitment to deepening cooperation in security and defense, ensuring that Kurdistan remains a stable and secure area amid the complex challenges posed by lingering terrorist threats and broader geopolitical dynamics in Iraq and Syria.