MESOP MIDEAST WATCH – PM Barzani Welcomes Extension of German Mission in Iraq, Kurdistan Region

28-1-2022 ERBIL — Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has welcomed the decision by the German parliament to renew the country’s military mission in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

The decision to keep the German troops in Iraq until at least the end of December was first made by the government on January 12. However, it required ratification by the Bundestag which approved a nine-month extension today.

“I strongly welcome the decision by the German Parliament to renew the Bundeswehr mission in Iraq, including in the Kurdistan Region,” PM Barzani wrote on Twitter on Friday.

“This mandate, and the support of the Global Coalition, is critical to the war on ISIS and training of Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi Army,” he added.

The German n-tv news channel said that the mandate was approved by a large majority of lawmakers in Berlin today. Reports said a total of 555 members of parliament voted in favor of the extension, while 110 voted against and a single MP abstained.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Relations Department of the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) has also welcomed the decision and highlighted the support of the German government and people to the Kurdistan Region in fighting terrorism.

“We welcome the decision taken by the German Bundestag to extend the mandate of the German troops in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region for another 9 months. The People and Government of Kurdistan highly appreciate the ongoing support of the government and troops of Germany in fighting ISIS,” reads a brief online statement.