Kurdistan Regional Government - Iraq
Representation in the United States


Washington, D.C.
February 2015 Newsletter
Welcome to the KRG-US February 2015 Newsletter

As I embark on my new assignment as the KRG Representative to the United States, I would like to take the opportunity to welcome you to our monthly newsletter which I hope you will find useful and interesting.

My mission is to further enhance the strong relationship between the Kurdistan Region and the United States. No greater proof of the importance of this relationship can be found than in the events of the past several months when our peshmerga have been battling ISIS on the ground, supported with airstrikes by the United States as well as other coalition partners.

Still, there is much work to be done. If we are to degrade and destroy ISIS, the peshmerga need heavy weapons. There is talk of a plan to retake Mosul in the spring. The question is whether Iraqi forces and the Sunni community are ready to play their part - the peshmerga will not be at the forefront of an attack on Mosul but will support it.

As you will see in our newsletter below, the leadership and government in Kurdistan are playing a positive role on the military, humanitarian and political fronts in Iraq. We need the United States' continued support and understanding as together we work toward a more stable and peaceful country.

Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman
Representative to the United States
Kurdistan Regional Government

KRG Representative continues Kurdish advocacy in Washington

 

KRG Representative to the United States Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman met with members of Congress this month to provide updates on humanitarian, military, and political developments in Kurdistan.

In her meetings, Ms. Abdul Rahman thanked the United States for its continuing support. The congressmen she met praised the Peshmerga who have retaken Kurdistani territory from ISIS and are defending key infrastructure such as the Mosul dam and the Kirkuk oil installations. Congressman Adam Schiff (pictured with the Representative) said, 'We appreciate the courage of the Kurdish people in dealing with the trauma of refugees and the war at your doorstep,' adding that the bravery of the Peshmerga is well-known.

Congressman Chris Van Hollen expressed concern about the plight of the Yezidis and other displaced people seeking shelter in Kurdistan. Ms. Abdul Rahman said that the refugee situation remains dire and asked that the US further support humanitarian efforts to help the displaced, a topic she also raised in a meeting with Congresswoman Susan Davis.


Ms. Abdul Rahman also met with US State Department Director of Iraq Affairs Anthony Godfrey and members of his team. She thanked Mr. Godfrey for the US's continuing air support, delivery of weapons and training to the peshmerga. They discussed the general outlook in Kurdistan and Iraq and the strengthening relationship between Kurdistan Region and the United States.

Kurdistan Regional Government and Kurdish representatives in Iraqi Parliament and Government discuss relations with Baghdad 

 

Kurdistan Regional Government senior officials and Kurdistan Region's team in Baghdad held a meeting at the Council of Ministers building in Erbil on February 22.

 

The Kurdistan Regional Government officials presented a comprehensive clarification on the agreement reached between Kurdistan Regional Government and the federal Iraqi government last December on oil export and budgetary issues.

 

They reaffirmed the KRG's commitment to honor this agreement which became law in 2015's federal budget.

 

The Kurdistan Regional Government officials explained the technical constraints which affects the implementation of the agreement as well as a misunderstanding of some terms of the agreement which the Kurdistan Regional Government is working closely with the Federal Government of Iraq to overcome these obstacles and resolve the issues.

 

Read a full press release of the meeting here.

 

PM Nechirvan Barzani speaks in KRG-World Bank conference on Refugees and IDPs 

In a conference held in Erbil to discuss the results of a joint programme conducted by Kurdistan Regional Government and World Bank on the impact of internally displaced people on the Kurdistan Region's economy and society, Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani stressed the urgent need for additional assistance to address the crisis.

Prime Minister Barzani said, "The presence of close to two million refugees and IDPs has changed the demography of the Kurdistan Region; the population of the Region increased by 28 percent in 2014." He stressed, "The crises has placed a huge burden on the KRG, particularly in the sectors of education, health services, housing and related services, and employment."

Erbil and Baghdad reiterate their commitment to the oil agreement

A senior KRG delegation, headed by Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani was received in Baghdad on February 15 by Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi and a number of Iraq's federal government officials. The two sides held two meetings during this one day visit of the Kurdistan Region delegation to Baghdad.

 

The main objective of the meetings was to discuss the implementation of the agreement reached last December between the KRG and the Federal Government of Iraq on oil export and budgetary issues.

 

During the meeting, it became apparent that due to the financial crisis in Iraq and the lack of liquidity, the Iraqi government is unable to pay the Kurdistan Region's share of January and February from the federal budget.

 

The two sides agreed to continue holding further talks in order to find an appropriate solution to the situation.

 

Read a full press release of the meeting here.

President Masoud Barzani meets US Senator Bob Corker in Erbil

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with US Senator Bob Corker, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, in Erbil on February 18. 

The President and the US Senator discussed the progress of the fight against ISIS terrorists, and international coalition support for the Peshmerga forces in this fight. 

Senator Corker, who was accompanied by US Ambassador to Iraq Stuart Jones, praised the leadership of President Barzani and the bravery of the Peshmerga forces in pushing back ISIS terrorists and said that the United States would continue to help the Peshmerga forces. He also said that the people of the United States have deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by the people of Kurdistan in confronting ISIS terrorists and in taking in many internally displaced people from other parts of Iraq. 

Local campaign has raised over $15,000 to support family of martyred Peshmerga

When Peshmerga commander Hujam Surchi was brutally martyred by ISIS terrorists in Mosul in January, the Kurdish community jumped to action to raise funds to provide for his wife and 11 children he left behind.

The campaign, organized by Rudaw Washington correspondent Yerevan Saeed, has raised over $15,000 and counting, with the goal of raising $50,000 for his family.

US-Kurdistan Business Council hosts luncheon meeting with KRG-US Representative 

Representative Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman met with US-KBC members in Washington to thank them for their support for Kurdistan over the years and provide updates on security, humanitarian,  and political developments in Kurdistan.

Ms. Abdul Rahman told the group, "Throughout our history, and particularly in this difficult year, the people of the Kurdistan Region have shown their resilience."

The USKBC is a non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating trade for American companies and strengthening private sector ties between the US and Kurdistan.
Peshmerga forces repel coordinated attack on Gwer and Makhmour

On February 17 at 9:15 PM Erbil time, Peshmerga forces repulsed large attacks by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) from multiple fronts in Tel Rim, Sultan Abdullah, and Jarallah to the southwest of Erbil Governorate.

 

ISIS attacked using mortars, rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) and heavy machine guns.

 

International coalition airstrikes were engaged shortly after the attack.

 

By 3:00 AM on February 18, Peshmerga forces, supported by international coalition airstrikes, remained in complete control and forced ISIS fighters to flee the battlefield. At least 30 ISIS fighters were killed, including an Emir known as Abu Yaqin leading the attacks.

 

Recent gains by Peshmerga forces in major offensives, including control of the strategic Kiske Junction between Tal Afal and Mosul, have severally disrupted the group's freedom of movement and its ability send supplies and reinforcements.

 

For updates from the Kurdistan Region Security Council follow @KRSCPress

President Barzani Meets with Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command

President Masoud Barzani received a US military and diplomatic delegation at his office on February 15. The US delegation was headed by General Joseph Votel, the Commander of the Special Operations Command as well as the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq and other U.S. defense and state officials.

During the meeting President Barzani shared his perspective on the conflict with the terrorists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and made reference to the liberated areas by the Peshmerga forces. President Barzani also took the opportunity to express his thanks to the allies' air support against the terrorists of ISIS and added that the Peshmerga forces are in need of continued support with the ultimate aim of ridding the Kurdistan Region of all ISIS terrorists.

General Votel expressed, on behalf of President Obama his continued support to the Kurdistan Region in its efforts against the terrorists and added that the U.S. will remain committed to the operation against ISIS. He also commended President Barzani and the Peshmerga forces for the latest military advances. 

DFR hosts a special session for the Ministry of Peshmerga to brief diplomats on security developments

The Department of Foreign Relations on February 17 hosted a special session for the officials of the KRG Ministry of Peshmerga to brief diplomats and foreign representatives in Erbil on the latest military developments in the fight against ISIS.


 The meeting started with a moment of silence to show respect for the fallen Peshmergas and all the victims of the barbaric acts of the terrorists of ISIS.


At the start of the meeting, Minister Falah Mustafa Bakir, Head of the KRG Foreign Relations, thanked diplomats for their attendance and expressed the appreciation of the KRG for the support and solidarity of their respective countries with the Kurdistan Region during this difficult time.


 The Minister of Peshmerga, Mustafa Said Qadir, gave an overview of the events from June 2014 to February 2015. He said, "After a short setback in the beginning of Daesh (ISIS) attacks on the Kurdistan Region, our Peshmerga forces, with the help of the US-led international coalition, have been able to retake the vast majority of the territory lost to Daesh in the beginning of August 2014."


 Read the full press release of the session here.

President Barzani Meets US Senator Jack Reed

Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani met with US Senator Jack Reed, ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. 

The President and the US Senator discussed the progress of the fight against ISIS terrorists, and US and coalition support for the peshmerga forces in this fight. 

Senator Reed, who was accompanied by US Ambassador to Iraq Stuart Jones, praised the leadership of President Barzani and the bravery and sacrifices of the peshmerga forces in pushing back ISIS terrorists. He said the United States would continue to help the peshmerga forces in providing air support, training and with the provision of arms. He added that the people of the United States have deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by the people of Kurdistan in confronting ISIS terrorists and for their generosity in providing refuge many internally displaced people from other parts of Iraq. 

KRG in the media

 

The Kurds need weapons, now

David Ignatius, Washington Post

 

Freed but not free: Yazidi girls who escaped Islamic State are trapped by trauma 

Marcia Biggs, PBS NewsHour

 

CNN International interview with Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman

 

Victorius Kurds ask US for promised guns

Eli Lake, Bloomberg View

 

Peshmerga still waiting for US help against ISIS

Uma Pemmeraju, interview with Karwan Zebari,  Fox News

 
Angelina Jolie's collected stories of Yezidi refugees

Angelina Jolie, The Guardian

 

Kurdistan 'open for business' despite ISIS war

Rudaw

 

Kurds fighting ISIS desperate for U.S. supplies 

CBS News

Photo credits:
KRG-US, KRSC, KRG, KRG, KRG, USKBC, DFR, KRP