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KRG Declares Completion of Multi-Year Peshmerga Unification
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Completion of Peshmerga Unification
On Monday, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) announced that its Peshmerga forces have been fully unified under the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs. The integration merges the former party-aligned 70 Forces (linked to the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan) and 80 Forces (linked to the Kurdistan Democratic Party) into a single modern military structure. The announcement coincides with the scheduled withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq by the September 30 deadline.
Historical Background of Peshmerga Division
The Peshmerga originated as a resistance force against Saddam Hussein’s regime and became the armed wing of the autonomous Kurdish region after the 1991 Gulf War. Political rivalry between the KDP and the PUK led to separate armed formations and a brief civil war in 1994. A 1998 cease-fire formalized the split, and despite a 2006 unification agreement and the creation of joint Regional Guard Brigades, parallel party armies persisted. The fight against ISIS from 2014 onward highlighted operational weaknesses caused by competing command structures, prompting a renewed push for professionalization supported by the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and the KRG’s Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs.
Official Statements & Planned Next Steps
He emphasized that the next phase will focus on strengthening capabilities, acquiring advanced weapons and air-defense systems, and aligning training with international standards. Barzani also called for closer coordination with the Iraqi Army and equal financial rights for all Peshmerga personnel. The report notes that Iran and its militias have carried out 1,000 attacks since February, underscoring the security environment the newly unified force will face.
Impact and Challenges Ahead
The consolidated command is intended to eliminate partisan rivalries and improve operational efficiency as the KRG confronts external pressures from Baghdad, Iranian militias, and the impending U.S. drawdown. Analysts suggest that unified logistics, communications, and accounting could enhance the Peshmerga’s ability to respond to regional threats, though the success of subsequent capability upgrades remains to be seen.
Verbatim Quotes
- “All forces have been brought under the umbrella of the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs,” — Masrour Barzani, krg’s prime minister
- “We want the Peshmerga to be a national Kurdistani force that stands above all party and individual interests,” — Masrour Barzani, krg’s prime minister