ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Turkish Consul General in Erbil Erman Topcu on Wednesday stressed the need to intensify diplomatic efforts to prevent the expansion of the ongoing regional war and keep Iraq and the Kurdistan Region out of the conflict.

“Both emphasized the importance of giving more momentum to diplomatic efforts to prevent further expansion of war and peaceful resolution of issues,” according to a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency.

The Kurdistan Region has endured around 350 drone and missile attacks since the start of Iran’s war with the US-Israel coalition on February 28, many of which were carried out by pro-Iran armed groups operating inside Iraq. Despite this, Kurdish leaders have repeatedly stressed over the past two weeks that the Kurdistan Region and its security forces are not a party to the conflict.

“Both agreed that every effort must be made so that Iraq and the Kurdistan Region are not drawn into war and tensions in any way, and at all levels work should be done to ensure that the peace and stability of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region are protected,” the statement read.

President Barzani also reiterated his “thanks and appreciation to Turkey for assisting and providing facilitation at border crossings for travelers to citizens of the Kurdistan Region and Iraq in general.”

Iran said last week it launched more than 2,000 drones and over 600 missiles targeting US and Israeli positions in the region. Iraqi armed groups aligned with the Iran-led “Axis of Resistance” have also carried out attacks against alleged US assets in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.

Earlier this month, Barzani held a phone call with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani, reaffirming that the Region will not allow its territory to be used for attacks against neighboring states, while urging Baghdad to take responsibility and rein in outlaw armed groups.