UK reiterates support for Peshmerga in Erbil meeting with Kurdish minister

ERBIL, Iraq — The United Kingdom has reaffirmed its support for the Peshmerga forces during a meeting in Erbil between Peshmerga Minister Shorish Ismail and Holly Veer, the new British consul general to the Kurdistan Region. Ismail congratulated Veer on her appointment and expressed readiness to cooperate, according to a statement from the ministry. The talks also brought together the ministry's secretary general, Lt. Gen. Bahtiyar Mohammed, and the deputy chief of staff, Maj. Gen. Hushmend Haidar. The two sides reviewed recent security developments in Iraq, the Kurdistan Region and the wider region, with Britain restating its commitment to backing the Peshmerga. According to the ministry, the discussion covered ongoing regional tensions and crises, with both sides stressing the importance of maintaining dialogue and mutual understanding. No further details were released on specific agreements or initiatives arising from the meeting.