This came during a visit he made to the Makhmour axis of the Peshmerga forces, following the recent ISIS attack on the district.

Barzani said in a press conference on the sidelines of the visit, that the attack resulted in 13 deaths, noting, " it is not the first nor the last attack, but the Peshmerga forces are always ready to defend and confront any attacks."

"These terrorists are taking advantage of the security gaps between the Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi security forces," he added, stressing, "there must be serious coordination between the security forces and the Iraqi forces."

The head of the regional government added, "We had called for arming the Peshmerga because they need equipment and ammunition, but unfortunately there are still obstacles," calling on the Global Coalition forces and the Iraqi Prime Minister to take steps in this regard.

He continued, "There is a decision to form two joint brigades between the Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi forces in the disputed areas, but no real steps have been taken. Therefore, we will not wait. We will do whatever it takes to protect these areas."

Meanwhile the Kurdistan Regional Government expressed on Friday full readiness to cooperate with the federal government to bridge the security gaps in the disputed areas.

Government spokesman Jotiar Adel said in a statement today, "in order to put an end to ISIS's ongoing terrorist attacks in the Kurdish areas outside the Kurdistan Region administration, and to bridge the security gaps in those areas, the federal government must coordinate and enhance joint action with the Peshmerga forces."

It added, "the Kurdistan Regional Government has expressed its full readiness to do what is necessary in this regard."

Reporter's code: 50101