Iraq’s federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) have reached a 17-point strategic security agreement aimed at strengthening coordination, unifying security decision-making and preventing security gaps, Iraq’s Security Media Cell chief Saad Maan said Tuesday.

The agreement was discussed during a high-level meeting at the office of Iraq’s Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, chaired by Gen. Abdul-Amir al-Shammari and attended by senior Iraqi and Kurdistan Region security and military officials.

According to Maan, the meeting reviewed field operations, intelligence cooperation and military training before the two sides reached agreement on around 17 strategic security measures.

A key part of the agreement is the strengthening of security in areas of mutual concern and the activation of two joint coordination brigades. The brigades are intended to prevent geographical gaps from being exploited by remnants of terrorist organizations and smuggling networks.

The agreement also includes measures to reinforce border security, particularly along the Iraq-Turkey border, through closer cooperation between federal border-guard forces and the Peshmerga.

Joint coordination centers in Erbil and Sulaimani are also expected to be activated to facilitate the pursuit of individuals wanted by Iraqi law enforcement authorities.

The two sides further agreed to expand joint operations targeting narcotics-trafficking networks, according to Maan.

He described the discussions between representatives of the federal government and the KRG as being conducted with “full understanding,” adding that no points of disagreement were recorded during the meeting.

The agreement comes as the scheduled withdrawal of US-led coalition forces from Iraq approaches, placing greater emphasis on cooperation between federal forces and the Peshmerga to secure disputed and strategically sensitive areas.

On Sept. 6, Iraqi and Kurdistan Region military commanders also held a high-level security meeting in Baghdad focused on strengthening coordination between the two sides.

That meeting emphasized protecting shared areas through joint brigades, improving border security through cooperation between border guards and Peshmerga forces, and expanding joint military training.