Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker
traveled to Erbil and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) January 9 and 10 to
discuss recent incendiary Iranian actions in the region that
necessitated President Trump’s decision to take defensive action to
protect American lives. In Erbil, he met with Kurdistan Democratic Party
(KDP) President Masoud Barzani, Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) President
Nechirvan Barzani, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister
Masrour Barzani, Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, Director of
Zanyari Intelligence Agency Lahur Talabani, and former Foreign Minister
Hoshyar Zebari. In the UAE, Assistant Secretary Schenker met with Iraqi
Parliament Speaker Halbousi as well as the UAE Minister of State Anwar
Gargash.
In each of his meetings, the Assistant Secretary made clear that the United States does not seek war and remains committed to de-escalation. He emphasized that the Coalition military presence in Iraq was solely aimed at continuing the fight against ISIS. The Assistant Secretary also discussed the reformist protests and their legitimate demands in the face of Iran-ordered attempts to suppress peaceful protests through lethal violence, and thanked the Iraqi, Kurdish, and Emirati people for their support and enduring friendship.
For updates on Assistant Secretary Schenker, follow him on Twitter @NEAPressOffice.
In each of his meetings, the Assistant Secretary made clear that the United States does not seek war and remains committed to de-escalation. He emphasized that the Coalition military presence in Iraq was solely aimed at continuing the fight against ISIS. The Assistant Secretary also discussed the reformist protests and their legitimate demands in the face of Iran-ordered attempts to suppress peaceful protests through lethal violence, and thanked the Iraqi, Kurdish, and Emirati people for their support and enduring friendship.
For updates on Assistant Secretary Schenker, follow him on Twitter @NEAPressOffice.
