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Secretary Meets With Kurdistan Regional Government President in Iraq

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Defense Secretary Ash Carter met today with Kurdistan Regional Government President Masoud Barzani in Irbil, Iraq, where the two leaders discussed the latest developments in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said in a statement.

Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Kurdistan Regional Government President Masoud Barzani meet in Irbil, Iraq, Dec. 11, 2016. DoD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley
Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Kurdistan Regional Government President Masoud Barzani meet in Irbil, Iraq, Dec. 11, 2016. DoD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley
Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Kurdistan Regional Government President Masoud Barzani meet in Irbil, Iraq, Dec. 11, 2016. DoD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley
Carter Meets Barzani in Irbil
Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Kurdistan Regional Government President Masoud Barzani meet in Irbil, Iraq, Dec. 11, 2016. DoD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley
Photo By: dod
VIRIN: 161211-D-GO396-0852

Carter and Barzani also discussed the key role Peshmerga forces have played in the counter-ISIL campaign, Cook said.

Unprecedented Cooperation

Carter and Barzani noted the unprecedented cooperation between Iraq’s government and the Kurdistan regional government, Cook said.

The two leaders, he added, agreed that all partners in the counter-ISIL fight must avoid distractions and remain focused on dealing the barbaric group a lasting defeat.

Cook said Carter thanked Barzani for his close partnership, and recalled the many successes over the past year that were made possible by strong cooperation between the Iraqi government, the Kurdistan regional government, and the United States.

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