US Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday arrived in Iraqs Kurdistan region to discuss the deepening crisis in that country.The top diplomat was set to meet with Kurdistan's President Massud Barzani amid the ongoing insurgency in Iraq's northern and western regions, the US state Department said.
According to the department, Kerry will highlight the role Iraqi Kurds can play in helping the central government deal with the insurgency of Takfiri militants from the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).
In a meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on Monday, Kerry said Americas support for Iraqiauthorities against the ISIS largely depends on their ability to quickly form a new government.
The US has vowed to help the Iraqi government in its fight against militants who have captured several key Iraqi cities since two weeks ago, but it has so far taken no serious practical measures.
Kerry said Washington wants Iraqi officials to form a new government before providing any assistance. The recent elections in Iraq, however, gave Maliki's party a parliamentary majority.
Around 170 US special forces began arriving in Baghdad this week to train and advise Iraqi counter-terror soldiers. The US said it may consider airstrikes against positions of the ISIS, who has been struggling to capture the capital Baghdad.
By Press TV
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