According to the statement Barzani had provided Pence with information on the security situation in the disputed areas.

Barzani also underlined the “importance of continued US support to stabilize these areas and allow for the return of more than one million Iraqis who remain displaced following the defeat of IS [Islamic State] caliphate,” the statement read.

Pence, for his part, praised the KRG for providing refuge for thousands of displaced civilians, according to the statement.

He also commended the KRG for “leading Iraq’s efforts to protect religious components who suffered a genocide at the hands of IS.”

There are still approximately 1.8 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) out of the estimated 6 million Iraqis who left their homes during the fight against ISIS.

General Director of the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) Joint Crisis Coordination Center (JCC) Hoshang Mohammed said in February that there were still 1,411,532 IDPs and refugees in the Kurdistan Region.

The White House stated that Pence and Barzani also discussed opportunities to deepen the US' partnership with the Kurdistan Region.

Both leaders discussed “opportunities to work more closely to counter malign actors that seek to destabilize Iraq and undermine its sovereignty,” White House said.

Reporter’s code: 50101