ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani and chief of the global coalition forces in Iraq and Syria Kevin Lambert on Thursday discussed confronting attacks on the Kurdistan Region after the US and Iran reached a fragile ceasefire that has lessened regional violence.

Strikes by Iran and Iran-aligned factions within Iraq relentlessly targeted US interests, hotels, and Kurdish security forces in the Region following the launch of the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran in late February.

Lambert “emphasized the continuation of support for the Peshmerga and the Kurdistan Region in order to maintain security and stability and address ongoing challenges,” according to a statement from Barzani’s office, to which he expressed his gratitude.

This is the first publicized meeting between Kurdistan Region authorities and coalition forces since the war started in late February. 

Most of the attacks have been claimed by pro-Iran militias in Iraq, with Kurdish authorities repeatedly calling on Baghdad to rein them in and accusing them of not taking action given that many of the groups in question are officially on the Iraqi state's payroll through the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF).

As of last Thursday, Erbil had been targeted by more than 500 missiles and drones since the onset of the Iran war, resulting in at least 16 dead, dozens injured, and heavy material damage, according to Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw.

Coalition forces have also suffered casualties in the attacks on the Kurdistan Region.

A base housing both Kurdish and French forces in Makhmour, southwest of Erbil, was targeted in mid-March, leading to the death of Arnaud Frion, a French soldier, and the injury of several others, with the attack later being claimed by Ashab al-Kahf, an Iraqi pro-Iran militia.

The US and Iran reached an unsteady two-week ceasefire deal on Tuesday, with Barzani expressing his hope that “all attacks on civilians, the Peshmerga, critical infrastructure, and diplomatic missions will now end.”

“I hope the ceasefire between the United States and Iran will hold, paving the way for lasting stability and peace in the region,” Barzani said on Wednesday, thanking all those who helped protect the Kurdistan Region.

The attacks on the Kurdistan Region have stopped since the ceasefire, but the US embassy in Baghdad said Wednesday that the Iran-aligned Iraqi militias "may intend to launch additional terrorist attacks against US citizens and US-associated targets throughout Iraq,” including the Kurdistan Region.