IRBIL: Germany has reiterated its dedication to enhancing its cooperative efforts with Iraq and the Kurdistan region, particularly in the fight against terrorism. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed this commitment during a meeting with Nechirvan Barzani, the President of the Kurdistan region, where they also discussed the broader implications of Syria's situation on the international coalition's anti-terrorism efforts. According to Kuwait News Agency, Pistorius emphasized the critical role of German forces within the international coalition aimed at fulfilling the aspirations of Iraq's Kurdistan province for a secure and stable future. The ongoing German support, which includes assistance to the Peshmerga forces, was acknowledged with gratitude by Barzani, as noted in the statement from the Kurdistan presidency. At a subsequent news conference, Pistorius highlighted Germany's careful monitoring of developments in Syria as they consider their stance on the Syrian government. The Syrian conflic t was a central topic in discussions with Barzani. Pistorius's visit to Irbil follows earlier meetings in Baghdad with Iraqi officials, focusing on bilateral efforts against terrorism. The German government, a member of the international coalition against the Islamic State since 2014, has resolved to maintain a deployment of approximately 500 forces in Iraq and the Kurdistan region until the end of 2026. Germany is also actively engaged in intelligence sharing with Iraq as part of its counter-terrorism initiatives.
