SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Bafel Jalal Talabani said the Peshmerga forces should be prepared and armed quickly to confront Islamic State (ISIS) militants in the disputed territories.
In a statement on Monday, Talabani said the recent ISIS attacks would not be left without “a response and steel strikes”.
ISIS militants have carried out several attacks against the Peshmerga forces in the disputed territories since November 27.
Twenty-two members of the Kurdish forces and three civilians have been killed since then.
“Despite other duties, I have precisely and closely observed plans, strategies and new methods to confront terrorists,” Talabani said.
“The Peshmerga forces will revenge every drop of the martyrs’ blood and will preserve the homes of civilians,” he added.
Regarding the attacks, Talabani said the border areas between Iraq and the Kurdistan Region “need stronger security belts”, which are protected by the Peshmerga forces.
“The Peshmerga forces must be prepared and armed rapidly in all aspects,” Talabani stated.
“Therefore, necessary steps will be taken, and the Peshmerga forces backed by the Iraqi military and the international coalition will launch operations to preserve security of Kurdistan and the region,” he said.
Kurdish officials have long blamed a lack of coordination along a stretch of territory claimed by both Baghdad and Erbil for ISIS’ continued ability to wage deadly attacks.
Islamic State controlled roughly a third of Iraq between 2014 and 2017, including the remote Makhmour region but also major cities including Mosul.
Iraqi forces, Kurdish troops and Iran-backed Shia militias defeated the militant group in 2017, but its members still roam areas of northern Iraq and northeastern Syria.
