Kurdistan Region, France Stress Continued Coordination Against ISIS

December 16, 2025

On Monday, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani received General Francois Tricot, France’s senior representative at the US-led coalition against ISIS, and discussed coordination efforts against the terrorist group.

The meeting was attended by Yann Braem, France’s Consul General in Erbil.

Prime Minister @masrourbarzani received General François Tricot the French senior representative at Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) on Monday. The meeting was attended by Yann Bream, the French Consul General in Erbil.https://t.co/dvsMEFRj1A
— Kurdistan Regional Government (@Kurdistan) December 15, 2025

According to the KRG readout, the discussions focused on the development of relations between the Kurdistan Region and France, the security situation in Iraq, and the threats posed by terrorism and ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

Both sides emphasized the importance of continued support for the Peshmerga forces and ongoing coordination between the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve and the Kurdistan Region to combat terrorism and maintain security and stability in the region.

Furthermore, in a separate meeting on Sunday, General Tricot met with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani.

According to the Presidency readout, both sides underscored the importance of continued collaboration and coordination between France, Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region as part of the international coalition’s efforts to combat terrorism and uphold peace and stability in the region.

President Nechirvan Barzani conveyed the Kurdistan Region’s appreciation for France’s ongoing support to both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. In response, the French delegation reaffirmed their nation’s commitment to continue supporting the Kurdistan Region and the Peshmerga forces.

France was one of the first countries to open a consulate in Erbil in 2008, and supported the Kurdish Peshmerga forces in the war against ISIS.Furthermore, France is part of the multi-national advisory group that also includes the United States, the UK, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands and supports the Peshmerga reform process.