This afternoon, Vice President Joe Biden spoke with Iraqi Kurdistan Regional President Masoud Barzani. The Vice President called to express condolences for the Kurdish Peshmerga executed by ISIL. The Vice President and President agreed that such unconscionable acts of brutality reflect ISIL’s true nature and reinforce our collective resolve to defeat ISIL. Vice President Biden praised the courage of the forces fighting ISIL, and President Barzani thanked the United States military and the international coalition for their vital support on the battlefield. The Vice President also offered warm wishes to President Barzani, his family and the people of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region as they observe Nowruz.