US Secretary of Defense pledges further support for Peshmerga

IRBIL, Oct 23 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter expressed on Sunday his country's preparedness to offer further support for Peshmerga forces in its war against the so-called Islamic State (IS).
This came during his meeting with Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani and some military officials.
Carter extolled the role of Peshmerga forces in the war against the IS, noting that coordination between Peshmerga and Iraq's forces led to a number of victories over terrorists, Kurdistan Region Presidency said in a statement today.
Carter stressed the continued support of the US for Peshmerga, referring to Barzani's role as a guarantee of peace in the post-liberation era, the statement added.
The US official stated that Barzani has played a crucial role in weakening the terrorists, it pointed out.
Meanwhile, Barzani affirmed the political and military importance of defeating IS in Mosul, voicing his satisfaction over the level of coordination between Peshmerga and Iraq's forces.
He stressed the need to abide by the agreements signed for the post-liberation era of Nineveh to maintain the rights of religious minorities.
The US secretary's visit to Irbil coincides with clashes launched by Peshmerga and Iraq's forces against the IS as part of the seven-day battle of retaking Mosul.
Earlier today, Carter arrived in Irbil coming from the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. He held meetings with government officials, mainly Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi in the capital. (Pick up previous) sbr.hm