ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – US Defense Secretary Ash Carter awarded medals for bravery to four Peshmerga on Sunday, in recognition of the bravery of the Kurdish forces in the fight against ISIS.The four Peshmerga are Major Jaafar Mustafa, Bestun Abu-Bakir, Kosar Saleh, and Lieutenant Colonel Bazid Mahmud who has destroyed 7 ISIS car bombs and suicide bombers.

Carter travelled to the Kurdish capital of Erbil Sunday evening to meet with President Masoud Barzani.

He arrived in Baghdad on an unannounced visit Sunday morning where he met with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. He also visited coalition forces at Qayyara airbase, Q-West.

US Defense Secretary Ash Carter at Q-West airfield on Sunday. Photo: US Department of Defense



