Kurdish officials on Wednesday discussed security coordination amid the continued threat of ISIS and drone attacks with a delegation led by UK Defense Senior Advisor to the Middle East and North Africa Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren.

During a meeting with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, the delegation discussed ways to further strengthen security and military coordination between the Kurdistan Region and the UK.

Prime Minister Barzani conveyed his appreciation for the UK’s support and reaffirmed the Kurdistan Region’s gratitude for the longstanding partnership.

The UK – along with the Netherlands, the United States, Italy, France, and Germany – supports the unification of partisan peshmerga units under the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs by 2026.

Prime Minister Barzani also highlighted the importance of ending the drone attacks that have targeted the Kurdistan Region since July 14.

During a separate meeting with the UK military delegation, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani underscored that ISIS continues to pose a significant threat to peace and stability in both Iraq and Syria.

Moreover, regarding the drone attacks targeting the Kurdistan Region, he described the assaults on energy infrastructure as a threat that could harm the entire Iraqi economy and urged action to prevent such attacks.