Trump confuses Kurds of Syria and Iraq in a meeting with Barzani

Duvar English

U.S. President Donald Trump confused the Kurds of Syria and Iraq in a meeting with Nechirvan Barzani, president of Iraqi Kurdistan, on Jan. 22 on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

During their encounter, Trump focused on praising the Kurds of Syria.

“As you know, we left Syria from the standpoint of the border,” said Trump, seated beside Barzani.

“And that’s worked out great with Turkey. It’s worked out far better than anyone thought possible. They have the so-called safe zone and I appreciate everything you’ve done to keep it as safe as possible," Trump said, The Washington Post reported.

Barzani’s Iraqi Kurdish regional government has not been involved in plans for a safe zone along the Syria-Turkey border in areas claimed by the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG).

Trump’s also appeared to refer to his decision to pull U.S. troops from northeastern Syria in October, a move that paved the way for a Turkish offensive in the area against the YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who were key U.S. partners in the fight against ISIS.

In his brief remarks, Trump thanked the Kurds for holding thousands of ISIS prisoners and fighting in the coalition that ousted the extremist group from its strongholds in Iraq and Syria. While Kurds in both countries were instrumental in those efforts, Syria’s Kurds have borne the brunt of securing tens of thousands of captured alleged fighters and their families.

Earlier Jan. 22, the White House’s official YouTube channel initially listed Trump as having met with the president of Iran at Davos, when in fact it was Iraqi President Barham Salih. The caption has since been corrected.