Araz News: Former U.S. Ambassador to Baghdad Zalmay Khalilzad stated Washington would arm Iraqi Kurds if the central government in Baghdad refrains from sending the weapons Kurds need in fighting against the militants of the Islamic State (IS).

Speaking with Rudaw, Khalilzad called Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani’s visit to the U.S. decisive and stated Barzani has discussed Mosul liberation operation, Kurdistan Region’s economic crisis and the troubles of the refugees in the region during his meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama.

He also stressed on the influential and important role of the Kurdish forces of Peshmerga in fighting against the IS and said Washington would provide needed weapons for the forces if Baghdad refrains to arm them.

He further called the region’s independent oil export natural as long as the central government in Baghdad does not send the region’s share of the national budget.

Barzani met Obama on Tuesday in White House and called the meeting as very successful.

kurdpress