DPM Talabani Meets Newly Appointed CJTF-OIR Commander

Deputy Prime Minister’s media office

DPM Talabani’s meeting with CJTF-OIR delegation

Deputy Prime Minister, Qubad Talabani, met with Major General Kevin C. Leahy, the recently appointed commander of the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR). They engaged in a discussion regarding strategies to combat threats of terrorism and enhance the ties between the Peshmerga and coalition forces.

The meeting took place in Erbil on Thursday, August 22, 2024, with the attendance of Shorsh Ismail, the Minister of Peshmerga, and Steve Bitner, the US Consul General. The Deputy Prime Minister expressed his congratulations to Maj. Gen. Leahy on his appointment as the new commander of CJTF-OIR and expressed his well wishes for his success in fulfilling his duties.

At the same time, he showed appreciation to former commander Maj. Gen. Joel JB Vowell for his significant contribution in enhancing the collaboration among coalition forces, Peshmerga, and other Kurdish security forces. He anticipated that the next coalition commander would continue in following the same course.

Maj. Gen. Leahy emphasised the necessity of enhanced coordination and collaboration between the Peshmerga forces and the coalition forces to ensure the preservation of security and stability in Kurdistan, Iraq, and the surrounding area.

During another segment of the discussion, they deliberated on the reforms pertaining to the Ministry of Peshmerga. Both parties agreed on the significance of sustaining the ongoing reform initiatives inside the Peshmerga forces. Additionally, they emphasised the importance of collaboration to achieve a stable Iraq and a united and robust Kurdistan.



PUKMEDIA