On Wednesday, a German delegation headed by Geza Andreas von Geyr, State Secretary of Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, met with the Kurdish leadership to discuss bilateral relations between Germany and the Kurdistan Region.

According to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) readout, during the meeting between KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and Secretary von Geyr, both sides agreed on the importance of strengthening bilateral relations across various sectors.

Prime Minister Barzani expressed his gratitude for Germany’s support for the Kurdistan Region and reiterated the importance of further developing relations between the Kurdistan Region and Germany.

During the meeting, the two officials also stressed the need to enhance international cooperation to confront the threats posed by ISIS terrorists in Iraq and Syria, and exchanged views on the situation in Iraq and the region, including discussions on electing the President of Iraq and forming the federal and KRG cabinets.

In 2014, Germany’s then-Chancellor Angela Merkel decided to supply Kurdish Peshmerga forces with G-36 rifles and MILAN anti-tank missiles, which were effective in stopping ISIS armored vehicles.

A German military contingent based in Erbil has also supported Peshmerga forces with advice, military equipment, and training.

Read More: Kurdish Leadership Welcomes Extension of German Mission

In October, Germany’s parliament extended the country’s military mission in Iraq until January 31, 2026. As a result, Germany will continue to deploy 500 soldiers to Iraq.

Recently, there has been an increase in ISIS attacks in Syria, with seven security personnel killed this week.

Earlier this month, Middle East Eye reported that more 20,000 ISIS families, including 6,000 foreigners, escaped the al-Hol camp that has been under the control of Damascus since it wrested it from Kurdish forces in January.

The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that 15,000 to 20,000 people, including ISIS affiliates, are now at large in Syria.

In a separate meeting, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani also received Secretary von Geyr, where they focused on enhancing relations between Germany, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region; recent political developments in both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region; the dynamics of Erbil-Baghdad relations; and the overall situation in the region.

President Nechirvan Barzani expressed his gratitude to Germany for its ongoing support and assistance to the Kurdistan Region in all areas, highlighting the significance of resolving issues peacefully and upholding peace in the region.

Both officials also discussed the threat posed by ISIS and the circumstances in Syria, along with several other matters of mutual interest.