The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Republic of Iraq. Begin Text: The delegation of the Republic of Iraq, led by Dr. Fuad Hussein, Iraqi Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the delegation of the United States Government, led by Secretary of State Antony …
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U.S. Consulate General Erbil’s Deputy Principal Officer Katie Kiser stated on the occasion of Newroz: Am Katetan Bash. I am delighted to be here with my Kurdish friends and colleagues to wish all of the people of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region a joyous Newroz! Newroz is an ancient tradition that brings people of many ethnicities …
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U.S. Consulate General Erbil’s Deputy Principal Officer Katie Kiser met with Governor of Halabja Azad Tofiq on March 16th and discussed Halabja’s chemical attack 33rd anniversary commemorations, economic development and other shared interests. DPO Kiser participated in a wreath laying at the Halabja Cemetery in commemoration of the victims of the 1988 chemical attacks. She …
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Consul General Rob Waller visited the Sulaymaniya Museum and participated in the opening ceremony of the new gallery of prehistoric life. This exciting new gallery was funded by the U.S. government. The U.S. continues to work with our Iraqi Kurdish friends to preserve valuable archeological sites and artifacts.
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Consul General Rob Waller visited the Kurdish Heritage Museum and met with the director of the museum Mazhar Khaleqi and the museum staff. The U.S. has provided a grant to the Institute to complete their “Digitalizing the Kurdish Heritage Institute Collection” project! Soon all these artifacts and documents will be searchable from anywhere in the …
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During his recent visit to Gali Ali Beg Waterfall, U.S. Consul General Rob Waller, Soran Mayor Halgurd Sheikh Najeeb, and Omer Bradosti, the founder of the “One Million Oak Tree Planting” project, planted 10 oak trees for a greener and better ecosystem in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR). Oak trees comprise the majority of the …
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Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Iraq Affairs David Copley accompanied by U.S. Ambassador Matthew Tueller visited Erbil December 9th and 10th and met with IKR political leadership, including KDP President Masoud Barzani, IKR President Nechirvan Barzani, PUK Co-Leader Bafel Talabani, KRG PM Masrour Barzani, and KRG High …
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Consul General Robert Waller visited Lalish Temple, met with Yezidi leaders and announced an additional $500,000 for the renovation of Lalish Temple, which brings the allocated amount to a total of $1 million. Consul General Waller then toured the temple and reviewed the ongoing renovation process of the sacred Yezidi temple.
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Consul General Robert Waller visited the American University of Kurdistan (AUK) and met with its president, Dr. Randall Rhodes. They announced the “Support to American-Style Higher Education in Iraq” program, with a $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of State. AUK is now partnered with six U.S. universities. This grant will support accreditation processes …
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Consul General Waller joined UNDP and USAID representatives, along with Governor Ali Tatar and Minister of Health Saman Hussein Muhammad, in a ribbon cutting ceremony for a newly established Covid-19 Isolation Ward in Duhok. The 20-bed ward is designed to handle the most severe Covid-19 patients and will later be repurposed to treat patients with …
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Consul General Rob Waller visited the border crossing at Faysh Khabur, where he was shown around by Border Crossing Director Shawkat Berbehary. From there, the group traveled to the Ibrahim Khalil border complex, where Consul General Waller toured the impressive food and product safety laboratories that insure the quality of imported goods. Streamlining import procedures …
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Consul General in Erbil Rob Waller and Ezidi24 Director General Ahmed Shingaly virtually discussed the challenges faced by minority journalists in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and the importance of a free media. The United States is proud to support press freedom and minority journalists, including through grants to Ezidi24 and others working in the Iraqi …
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U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Matthew Tueller visited Erbil today and toured a Peshmerga supply warehouse and met with Minister of Peshmerga Shorsh Ismail. At the event Ambassador Tueller said: “As we saw at the height of the campaign against ISIS, you brave Peshmerga fighters are indispensable to Iraq’s security. We are all grateful for the …
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U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Matthew Tueller met with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani yesterday in Erbil. They discussed the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Dialogue, KRG’s ongoing budget negotiations with Baghdad, relations between Iraqi Kurdistan Region’s political parties, and the importance of press freedom. They also discussed the security situation in the western provinces and …
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Consul General Rob Waller joined Minister of Health Saman Hussein Muhammed and U.N. Deputy Special Representative Irena Vojáčková-Sollorano at a special handover ceremony for six U.S. Department of State: Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) funded ambulances to help provide medical care to Syrian refugees and their host communities in Dohuk, Erbil, and Sulaimaniya. …
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Consul General Rob Waller had the pleasure of virtually meeting with Salahaddin University’s President Dr. Jawhar Fattah Saeed and Dr. Isam Abdullah. They discussed cooperation with U.S. universities, academic exchanges, and the institution’s important plans for the upcoming year.
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Consul General Steve Fagin observed the 20th anniversary of World Refugee Day by speaking virtually with Syrian refugee Haitham Majed. Haitham started working with Save the Children as a volunteer and is now a Child Protection Coordinator. U.S. Department of State: Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration are proud to support our partners and stand …
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The U.S. Consul General in Erbil Steve Fagin met virtually with Dr. Ridha Hassan Hussein, President of Sulaimaniya University and students to discuss future academic collaboration, the impact of COVID19 and recent activities organized by the American Corner in Sulaimaniya. Consul General Fagin encouraged the university students and staff to apply for exchange programs sponsored …
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Consul General Steve Fagin participated in a virtual meeting with Farhad Rafaat, a representative from the Kakai community, to discuss religious inclusion and minority rights. Farhad Rafaat participated in the 2019 International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) focused on interfaith dialogue and religious freedom in the United States. This year is the 80th anniversary of the IVLP program. The U.S. …
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Consul General Steve Fagin was pleased to meet virtually with Yezidi activist and Nobel laureate Nadia Murad to discuss her ongoing work to help Yezidis return to Sinjar. The U.S. government is implementing projects in Sinjar worth over $4 million with various implementing partners, including Nadia’s Initiative. We will continue to work with the Government of Iraq …
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Consul General Steve Fagin participated in a Skype chat with KRG’s Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs Deputy Director of General Medical Affairs, Dr. Rebin Zikhani to learn how he is working to build awareness around combatting COVID-19 in the IKR. Dr. Zikhani received his master’s degree from Marywood University in the United States. The U.S. stands with all of …
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Consul General Steve Fagin applauds all those who are working tirelessly to combat coronavirus in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region. CG Fagin talked over Skype to two IYLEP participants from the IKR who are dedicated volunteers on the 122-helpline created by the KRG to assist anyone displaying coronavirus symptoms. The U.S. government continues to support young people …
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The United States Government has provided $670,000 to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Iraq from the Emergency Reserve Fund for Contagious Infectious Diseases at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID is providing these funds to the World Health Organization (WHO) to support Iraq’s COVID-19 readiness and response. These funds will contribute to …
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Consul General Steve Fagin met with alumni of the Fulbright Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship and congratulated them on the successful completion of their program. The participants completed their programs at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Penn State University. The Consul General spoke about the importance of these educational programs in improving the relationship between …
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CG Fagin and other members of the Consulate community visited the Erbil Orphanage on December 23 to deliver packages of clothing and food purchased with funds donated by Consulate staff. The CG met with the leadership team at the Orphanage and learned about the extensive support being provided to the children. The CG then toured the facility …
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Erbil welcomes its new Public Affairs Officer, Adrian Pratt. Adrian is very excited about leading the Public Affairs team at the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil. Adrian’s last posting was in The Hague, in the Netherlands. Before that he served in New Delhi and Wellington, New Zealand. Adrian will be managing grants to institutions working …
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The U.S. Consulate General Erbil hosted a training workshop for American Corner staff engaged in supporting locations throughout #Iraq . Ms. Sommers Pierce, Director of American Spaces-Vienna and regional public engagement specialist, led the workshop. Ten participants representing American Corner locations in #Baghdad , #Duhok , #Sulaimaniya , #Erbil , and #Najaf , attended and were joined by special guests from the #Iraqi Ministry of Culture. …
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations Breaks Ground on the New U.S. Consulate Compound in Erbil, Iraq In a demonstration of enduring friendship and the important bilateral partnership, U.S. Ambassador Douglas A. Silliman and U.S. Consul General Ken Gross broke ground today on the new U.S. …
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On May 20, Economic and Commercial Affairs Officer Sharyn Fitzgerald attended the opening of a greenhouse project at Bahirka IDP camp. The project, sponsored by Mass Group Holding and implemented by Kurdish Human Rights Watch (KHRW) and the Kurdish American Cooperation Organization, established eight greenhouses to be managed by resident IDP families. The project seeks …
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On February 28, The Consul General Ken Gross helped open our new American Corner today at the University of Kurdistan Hewler. This is a cultural and informational center that offers a library, access to online journals, advising services for students interested in studying in the U.S., and a variety of ongoing cultural and English-language programming. …
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Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Iraq today to discuss key political, economic, humanitarian, and security issues with government officials, including our long-term partnership with Iraq under the Strategic Framework Agreement. The Deputy Secretary is accompanied by Brett McGurk, Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL, and Joseph Pennington, Deputy …
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On August 3, Consul General Ken Gross and Special Advisor for Religious Minorities Knox Thames traveled to Lalish Temple in Ninewa Province to participate in the commemoration of the 2nd anniversary of the Yezidi genocide. Mr. Gross met with Yezidi spiritual leaders, laid flowers at the genocide memorial, and gave remarks noting that as much …
Read More» On August 2, Consul General Ken Gross and Special Advisor for Religious Minorities in the Near East and South Central Asia Knox Thames visited the Erbil Citadel and met with Citadel Director Dr. Dara al-Yakoobi, who informed them about the site’s 6000 years of history, and discussed ongoing threats to Erbil’s cultural heritage. While there, …
Read More» On August 1, Consul General Ken Gross met with senior journalists and editors from eight top Iraqi Kurdish media outlets for an informal meet and greet. While there, they discussed the state of media freedom in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, the economic challenges faced by the press, and the key stories that these outlets are …
Read More» Ken Gross, the Consul General in Erbil, is a career member of the U.S. Department of State’s Senior Foreign Service. Mr. Gross previously served as the U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan from 2009-2012. He has had two previous overseas postings in Iraq, including as Principal Officer at the Regional Embassy Office in Basrah, and he returned …
Read More» On June 30, Consul General Matthias Mitman visited the Mamilyan IDP Camp and observed livelihood programs coordinated by the Social Education Economic Development NGO and the United Nations Population Fund. These programs included a woodworking training facility, cooking workshops, music and enrichment programs for children, and psychosocial services for trauma victims. During the visit, CG …
Read More» On June 27, Consul General Matthias Mitman hosted an Iftar for over twenty Peshmerga soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade. The guest of honor was the Acting KRG Minister of Peshmerga Affairs Karim Sinjari. Mitman told the Kurdish soldiers that the U.S. is proud to partner with the Peshmerga in their fight against Da’esh …
Read More» On June 26, Consul General Mitman visited the Shrine of Raban Boya near Shaqlawa. Father Anies of the Chaldean Church joined the group for the scenic hike and shared the history of the site, which dates to the fourth century A.D., as well as information about Monk Boya, who established the site as a monastery.
Read More» The U.S. Consulate General in Erbil is pleased to announce that Ms. Talan Aouny and Ms. Bahar Ali will attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES), which will take place June 22-24, 2016 in Palo Alto, California. They will be joining more than 700 entrepreneurs from around the world along with investors, speakers, and leaders in …
Read More» Greetings, and thank you Matthias. Thank you to everyone here tonight for joining us a little early to celebrate our Independence Day. I want to particularly acknowledge President Barzani: Mr. President, we are honored by your presence here as well as so many other representatives of the Kurdistan Regional Government. And we are honored to …
Read More» Welcome, and thank you all for taking the time to join us on this, our 240th anniversary of independence. I’d like to particularly thank President Masoud Barzani, Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, KRSC Chancellor Masrour Barzani, for joining us here this evening. Let me also welcome regional political, military and security leaders, our friends in …
Read More» H.E. President Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region H.E. Ambassador Stuart Jones, US ambassador to Iraq CG Matthias Mitman, Consul General of the United States in Kurdistan Region Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Representatives of the Diplomatic Corps, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good evening to you all, I am pleased and privileged to be part of this …
Read More» On June 2, the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil hosted distinguished guests including IKR President Massoud Barzani for a celebration of the two hundred and fortieth Independence Day of the United States of America. Ambassador Stuart Jones and Consul General Matthias Mitman welcomed the crowd, which included officials from the Kurdistan Regional Government, military and …
Read More» On May 30, U.S. Consul General Matthias Mitman visited Peshmerga soldiers at the Erbil’s Emergency Management Center who were injured in the ongoing conflict with Da’esh in Khazir, Ninewa. This visit took place on Memorial Day, a U.S. holiday that honors those military men and women who have given their lives in defense of their …
Read More» In celebration of World Press Freedom Day, Consul General Matthias Mitman addressed journalists, KRG officials, and other defenders of media freedom at Metro Center’s event, Defending Journalists in the IKR. In his remarks, Consul Mitman stressed that a free press is necessary for government accountability, open societies, and economic development. He also praised the work …
Read More» On May 5, the U.S. Consulate General Deputy Principal Officer, Roy Perrin, joined Sherzad Omar Mamsani, the Jewish Representative in the Kurdistan Ministry of Religion, for an historic commemoration in Erbil that marked the first Jewish Remembrance Day for Victims of the Holocaust. A moment of silence was observed in respect for the millions who …
Read More» On June 1, Consul General Mitman spoke at the graduation ceremony of the American International School of Kurdistan, encouraging the students to dream big, work hard and to give back to their communities. Many of these students will go on to universities in the United States.
Read More» On April 19, Consulate General Erbil Public Affairs Section hosted a reunion for 22 Fulbright Scholars and Fulbright Student Program alumni. Consul General Matthias Mitman welcomed the guests, commended their participation in the program, and encouraged them to continue their efforts.
Read More» On April 4, Consul General Matthias Mitman spoke at a commemoration honoring the 25th anniversary of Operation Provide Comfort. Along with representatives from the British, French and Turkish Consulates General in Erbil and the Kurdistan Regional Government, CG Mitman paid tribute to those who had sacrificed their lives in the effort to provide a safe …
Read More» Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry honored Yezidi activist Dr. Nagham Nawzat Hasan with the 2016 International Women of Courage Award. The award goes to women who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership in acting to improve others’ lives. Dr. Hasan was one of the first physicians to provide psychological …
Read More» I am delighted to join President Obama and Secretary Kerry in wishing a happy, healthy, and prosperous Nowruz to all our friends in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and around the world. As Americans, we rejoice along with all those who come together to celebrate the arrival of spring and a new year. Nowruz is a …
Read More» On January 21, Consul General Matthias Mitman delivered remarks at the Center for the Development of Natural Resources’ “Escaping the Rentier Model: Reforms in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region” conference, hosted by the American University of Iraq in Sulaimani. Consul General Mitman focused on the need for transparency and accountability in the economic reform process, …
Read More» The United States condemns the barbaric acts of terrorism today in Iraq, including a suicide bombing and hostage-taking at a mall in Baghdad for which ISIL has claimed responsibility and two separate suicide attacks in Muqdadiyah. We express our deep condolences to the survivors and to the families of the victims. These attacks once again …
Read More» On December 31, the U.S. Consul General in Erbil, Matthias Mitman, joined with UNICEF and local NGOs in Erbil to distribute almost 2,500 sets of children’s clothing and blankets at Baharka Camp, where thousands of families have fled to escape Da’esh. The distribution is part of larger U.S. efforts to provide winter relief supplies to …
Read More» We congratulate the Iraqi Security Forces on their progress in the hard-fought battle to retake Ramadi. ISF seizing the Anbar Government complex in Ramadi is a major blow to Dae’sh terrorists who continue to lose territory. The United States is proud to have led the International Coalition in assisting the ISF and remains steadfast in …
Read More» On September 15, 2015, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Stuart E. Jones led a high-level delegation from the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Defense to meet with Kurdistan Regional Government officials, including separate meetings with President Massoud Barzani, Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani, Minister of Natural Resources Ashti Hawrami, and Deputy Prime Minister …
Read More» The U.S. Consulate General in Erbil wishes to clarify visa processing information following incorrect reporting in some Iraqi media outlets that the Consulate General processes applications for immigrant visas. The U.S. Consulate General in Erbil does not accept applications for or process immigrant visas. All immigrant visas processing in Iraq is done by the U.S. …
Read More» Southwest Asia – Peshmerga forces with the support of Coalition airstrikes, are conducting a successful offensive operation against Daesh terrorists near Tuz in Northern Iraq. Since Aug. 26, the Peshmerga have destroyed Daesh defensive positions and re-established control of more than 200 square kilometers, liberating seven villages, and straightening and shortening the Kurdish forward line …
Read More» On August 8, 2015, Ambassador Stuart Jones, Deputy Special Presidential Envoy Brett McGurk, Consul General Matthias Mitman, and Lieutenant General James Terry visited former Iraqi President Jalal Talabani at his home in Sulaimaniyah. Ambassador Jones and the delegation reaffirmed U.S. commitment to continued cooperation with Iraqi Kurdish forces in the fight to degrade and defeat …
Read More» On July 27, 2015 Matthias Mitman became Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil. “I’m pleased to take up the position of Consul General in Erbil. I look forward to engaging with the people and officials of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and strengthening cooperation, economic ties, and people-to-people connections between the people of …
Read More» The U.S. Consulate General in Erbil would like to notify U.S. citizens of credible threat reporting specific to public places in Erbil, Iraq. As a result, all off-compound movements of U.S. government personnel under the Chief of Mission at the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil will be limited on Friday, July 31, 2015 and Saturday, August 1, …
Read More» THE PRESIDENT: Today, after two years of negotiations, the United States, together with our international partners, has achieved something that decades of animosity has not — a comprehensive, long-term deal with Iran that will prevent it from obtaining a nuclear weapon. This deal demonstrates that American diplomacy can bring about real and meaningful change — …
Read More» The President: Welcome to the White House. Now, I know that these are the longest days of the year, which is why I’m so glad that they put the first course down right away. (Laughter.) I know you’re hungry, and I promise to be brief. I want to thank the members of our diplomatic corps …
Read More» Vice President Biden spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi today to reaffirm continued U.S. support for the Iraqi government’s ongoing efforts to defeat ISIL. The Vice President thanked Prime Minister Al-Abadi for his steadfast leadership in Iraq and for promoting national unity at a time of significant security challenges, including today’s ISIL attack on Ramadi. …
Read More» Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with the Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani today to discuss a range of issues, including the important role of the Kurdish Peshmerga and the Kurdish people in the fight against ISIL. Deputy Secretary Blinken offered condolences to President Barzani for the people who have lost their lives …
Read More» President Obama participated in a meeting at the White House with Vice President Biden and Masoud Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. They discussed a range of issues, including the campaign to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL and the status of ongoing political initiatives to address the needs of the Iraqi people and foster …
Read More» The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad marks World Press Freedom Day, an annual occasion to recognize and honor the essential role a free press plays in democracies to ensure access to the news that informed citizens need. World Press Freedom Day is also an opportunity to reflect on and pay tribute to the journalists who have …
Read More» Vice President Joe Biden spoke today with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi. The Vice President reaffirmed the US commitment under the Strategic Framework Agreement to a united, federal, and democratic Iraq, as defined in the Iraqi constitution. He further reaffirmed, pursuant to this commitment that all U.S. military assistance in the fight against ISIL comes …
Read More» As a result of an explosion on April 17, 2015 in the Ankawa neighborhood in Erbil, and the security presence in the immediate area, Consulate General Erbil will temporarily suspend visa services on Sunday, April 19, 2015. The Consulate expects to resume visa services on Monday, April 20, 2015. All visa applicants will be notified …
Read More» The United States condemns the attack in Erbil today in which a vehicle-born improvised explosive device (VBIED) detonated outside the U.S. Consulate and took a number of innocent lives. We extend our deepest condolences to the families of those who were injured and killed. All Chief of Mission personnel have been accounted for and there …
Read More» U.S. Department of State – Office of the Spokesperson – Statement by Jen Psaki At the request of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, the Coalition today launched airstrikes in and around Tikrit in support of Iraqi Security Forces ground operations. These strikes were designed to destroy ISIL strongholds with precision – protecting innocent Iraqis by minimizing …
Read More» We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the Peshmerga shown in the disturbing video released last night by ISIL, which purportedly shows the barbaric execution of three men. Although we are not in a position to confirm the authenticity of the video, we have no reason to doubt it given the other similar …
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