Al-Kurdi
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Key British MPs have called on the government to reinforce the UK’s support for an independent Kurdistan, arguing that it is a “key bulwark” against Islamic extremism.
The powerful Foreign Affairs Committee said the UK should become Iraqi Kurdistan’s “partner of choice,” not just for military operations, but also for trade and tourism.
The committee also asked for a physical presence in the region’s capital of Irbil, where currently diplomats work from hotel rooms and other remote locations.
The report, which is due to be published on Tuesday, will also call for more assistance and aid to be offered to Iraqi Kurdistan by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
It will also urge support from the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, a non-departmental organization designed to promote democratic governments overseas.
In 2014 an inquiry was opened into British relations with Iraqi Kurdistan and Iraq. Its initial scope has developed, however, since the emergence of Islamist groups in the region, including the Islamic State (IS, formally ISIS/ISIL).
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters along with Kurdistan Workers' Party(PKK) fighters stand atop of a hill overlooking the town of Sinjar (Reuters / Stringer)
Earlier this month, Iraqi Kurdistan received the British government’s security envoy to the region, Lieutenant General Sir Simon Myall, as well as a number of British military officers.
The meeting was organized in order to assess the needs of Kurdish Peshmerga forces fighting against Islamists in Kobani, and to co-ordinate British training plans for Kurdish fighters.
Ministry of Defence (MoD) officials confirmed the British military had been training Peshmerga fighters close to the front line, and that Defence Secretary Michael Fallon had deployed a “small specialist team” to train soldiers at the front.
“The government has previously made clear its intention to provide training to the Peshmerga as part of the continued effort to assist in the fight against ISIL,” an MoD spokesperson told the Evening Standard.
“The Defence Secretary has approved the deployment of a small specialist team of non-combat Army trainers, which is now in the Erbil area providing instruction on operating, employing and maintaining the heavy machine guns that were gifted by the UK last month.”
Britain has also been assisting Kurdish fighters in Iraq through their role in the US-led effort to curtail IS in air raids. However, most participants of the coalition have ruled out sending ground troops to fight in Iraq and Syria.
Support Kurdish Peshmerga as ‘bulwark against Islamists’ – MPs — RT UK
The powerful Foreign Affairs Committee said the UK should become Iraqi Kurdistan’s “partner of choice,” not just for military operations, but also for trade and tourism.
The committee also asked for a physical presence in the region’s capital of Irbil, where currently diplomats work from hotel rooms and other remote locations.
The report, which is due to be published on Tuesday, will also call for more assistance and aid to be offered to Iraqi Kurdistan by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
It will also urge support from the Westminster Foundation for Democracy, a non-departmental organization designed to promote democratic governments overseas.
In 2014 an inquiry was opened into British relations with Iraqi Kurdistan and Iraq. Its initial scope has developed, however, since the emergence of Islamist groups in the region, including the Islamic State (IS, formally ISIS/ISIL).
Kurdish Peshmerga fighters along with Kurdistan Workers' Party(PKK) fighters stand atop of a hill overlooking the town of Sinjar (Reuters / Stringer)
Earlier this month, Iraqi Kurdistan received the British government’s security envoy to the region, Lieutenant General Sir Simon Myall, as well as a number of British military officers.
The meeting was organized in order to assess the needs of Kurdish Peshmerga forces fighting against Islamists in Kobani, and to co-ordinate British training plans for Kurdish fighters.
Ministry of Defence (MoD) officials confirmed the British military had been training Peshmerga fighters close to the front line, and that Defence Secretary Michael Fallon had deployed a “small specialist team” to train soldiers at the front.
“The government has previously made clear its intention to provide training to the Peshmerga as part of the continued effort to assist in the fight against ISIL,” an MoD spokesperson told the Evening Standard.
“The Defence Secretary has approved the deployment of a small specialist team of non-combat Army trainers, which is now in the Erbil area providing instruction on operating, employing and maintaining the heavy machine guns that were gifted by the UK last month.”
Britain has also been assisting Kurdish fighters in Iraq through their role in the US-led effort to curtail IS in air raids. However, most participants of the coalition have ruled out sending ground troops to fight in Iraq and Syria.
Support Kurdish Peshmerga as ‘bulwark against Islamists’ – MPs — RT UK
