On Wednesday, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani thanked the Coalition partners, including the United States and several European countries, for assisting the Kurdish Peshmerga forces in confronting and defeating ISIS as the Coalition officially ends its mission in Iraq.

“We thank them and express our appreciation for all their sacrifices, all their efforts and hardships, and all the support they have provided to us over the past years. Without a doubt, we will not forget that cooperation, support, and assistance,” KRG Prime Minister Barzani said.

“The end of the Coalition forces’ mission does not mean the end of relations with our friends. Rather, the nature of those relations will move into another sphere and take a different form — economically, culturally, politically, as well as in security and military affairs,” he added.

“Iraq’s relations with the United States, European countries, and the Coalition forces will continue in a different form, and the Kurdistan Region, as an active and influential part of the Iraqi government, can and will participate in developing these types of relations,” he stated.

Furthermore, he warned there “many enemies and those who wish us harm believe that the end of the Coalition mission will expose the Kurdistan Region to greater risks. Undoubtedly, the threat of terrorism still exists. It is not the case that we can say there are no longer any threats or security challenges.

“However, we assure you that Iraqi forces now have greater capabilities than before, while the Peshmerga forces are a strong and ready force capable of confronting any type of threat that may face the Kurdistan Region.

“Therefore, once again, I assure you that our forces are ready to confront any attack or threat that, God forbid, may target our region or Iraq.”