Iraqi Kurdistan ex-leader, US special envoy discuss "future of Syrian Kurds"

“In the meeting, the situation of Syria and the latest developments were discussed," Barzani's office said in a statement
Tuesday, 18 December 2018 00:51

Masoud Barzani, the former president of the autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), on Monday met with Brett McGurk, the US special presidential envoy for the global coalition to defeat the Islamic State terrorist group, Barzani's office said in a statement.

US Ambassador to Iraq Douglas Silliman, US State Department advisor Ambassador William Roebuck, and Consul General to Erbil Steve Fagin were also present.

"President Barzani expressed his concern about the future of the Kurdish nation in Syria and explained his opinion and advice about how to resolve the problems and challenges facing the Kurdish nation in Syria," the statement read, as quoted by the Rudaw broadcaster.

The statement comes after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said last Wednesday that Turkey could launch a military operation against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria. The YPG makes up a major component of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

Barzani's, Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and PYD have been unable to reach a consensus on the deployment of Peshmerga from the autonomous Kurdistan region in Iraq to northeast Syria, or Rojava.

“In the meeting, the situation of Syria and the latest developments were discussed," added Barzani's statement.

The delegation also discussed US Energy Secretary Rick Perry's visit last week to the Kurdistan region.