Readout of Vice President Biden's Call With Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani

The Vice President spoke today with the President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, Masoud Barzani, to review progress in the Iraqi-led campaign to liberate Mosul from the terrorist group ISIL. The Vice President commended recent Iraqi battlefield successes against ISIL, thanked President Barzani for the contributions of Kurdish Peshmerga forces to the Mosul campaign, and expressed condolences for all Iraqi lives lost in the battle to liberate Mosul. The Vice President also underscored the importance of sustained cooperation with Prime Minister Abadi and the Iraqi government to ensure ISIL's lasting defeat in northern Iraq. The two leaders emphasized their respect for Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity and reiterated that all military operations in Iraq must have the consent of the Iraqi government. Both leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to the strategic partnership between the United States and Iraq.