After a phone call with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called Kurdistan Region’s role as a stabilizing force “more critical than ever.”

In a post on X, Von der Leyen said that she had discussed the ongoing security situation in the Middle East and Gulf Region with Kurdistan Region President Barzani.

“The EU is determined to work alongside you to ensure safety and protect the hard-earned progress in rebuilding. We will continue supporting the Republic of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region,” she added.

In a post on X, Kurdistan Region President Barzani said that he thanked President von der Leyen for her continued support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

“We stressed the need for political solutions to prevent wider conflict and protect civilians,” he said.

According to a report from Community Peacemaker Teams - Iraqi Kurdistan, a total of eight individuals have been killed and 51 injured in the Kurdistan Region due to drone, ballistic missile, and rocket attacks since the beginning of the U.S.-Israel-Iran war on February 28.

“During the past week, consulates, military bases, and facilities connected to the U.S. government in the Kurdistan Region were targeted 39 times, bringing the total number of such attacks to 97 since the start of the conflict,” the report said.