ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Interior Minister Reber Ahmed on Monday expressed Erbil's interest in enhancing ties with US defense companies and acquiring anti-drone systems, citing recent drone attacks on the Region's energy infrastructure and the ensuing harmful economic effects.

Speaking at a US-Kurdistan Region investment conference in Erbil in the presence of delegates of numerous US companies, as well as the US Consul General in Erbil Wendy Green, Ahmed discussed bilateral ties, economic growth, and security concerns.

“Hostile actors in Iraq are increasingly using drones to target infrastructure and civilians,” said the minister in a speech following the meeting, claiming that the attacks prompt the KRG to seek out partnership with the US companies to “strengthen our security infrastructure, anti-drone technology, modern security systems, and capacity building programs.”

"This is why we see such great value in working with American companies... We are actively seeking partnerships to strengthen our security infrastructure," Ahmed asserted.

The minister further asserted that the partnership between the US and the Region “will not only help protect Kurdistan” but would also safeguard the American “people,” “assets,” and “investments.”

"Stability must lead to proposerity. That was one of the central messages of [Kurdistan Region] Prime Minister [Masrour] Barzani's visit to Washington" in May, Ahmed added, highlighting that the KRG is committed to cultivating a business-friendly environment and encouraging US investment.

“The threat from ISIS [Islamic State] has not disappeared,” he added, noting that the group is still active in disputed areas and that the Kurdish forces “together with the Global Coalition continue to confront this threat.”

The Kurdistan Region's energy infrastructure sites were repeatedly attacked by myriad drone strikes this summer, coinciding with the announcement of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel after a 12-day military conflict in June. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Iraqi National Security Advisor Qassim al-Araji, in an interview with local Iraqi media on Wednesday, said that authorities have identified the perpetrators of the drone campaign.

Araji refused to confirm if the culprits were foreign or domestic actors, saying that the details are in the investigation report.

 US Congressman Joe Wilson in early September announced that he proposed an amendment to a defense spending bill that would see greater support for the KRG, describing Erbil as “a vital strategic partner."

“It is the sense of Congress that the Kurdistan regional Government of Iraq is a vital strategic partner of the United States,” read the amendment.

In the amendment, the representative stresses that the Iraqi federal government “must cease its destabilizing efforts to halt salaries and payments to KRG government employees,” as well as “its efforts to prevent the KRG from developing and exporting its petroleum resources and capabilities.”

Wilson’s amendment further accuses “Iraqi militias funded by the government of Iraq” of attacking the Kurdistan Region.

Reporting by Hevi Karam