First phase of Peshmerga unification begins

The first phase of the unification of the Peshmerga forces under the First and Second Regional Commands officially began on Tuesday in the presence of Peshmerga Minister , shoresh Ismail.

The announcement was made during a press conference following the launch ceremony of the first joint training course for the Peshmerga forces, attended by representatives of the International Coalition.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ismail said: "This step will mark a decisive achievement in the process of unifying the Peshmerga forces. From now on, our forces will be equipped and trained using the latest military methods and techniques."

He added: "The Peshmerga forces have demonstrated to the world that they are a strong shield in the fight against terrorism and have become a prominent symbol on the international stage."

The Peshmerga minister stressed that strengthening the capabilities of the Peshmerga forces would contribute to regional security and stability, as they constitute the genuine guarantee for safeguarding the rights of the people of Kurdistan.

Concluding his remarks, Shoresh Ismail outlined his ministry's new strategy, saying: "The establishment of the First and Second Military Regions and 11 separate military divisions is a highly significant and strategic step toward building a unified national army for Kurdistan."

Regarding cooperation with the International Coalition, the Peshmerga minister revealed that the financial support agreement signed with the U.S. Department of Defense is set to expire in September. He noted that there have so far been no indications as to whether the agreement will be extended or followed with a new one.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) previously launched a project to reorganize and unify the Peshmerga forces under the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs, including the integration of formations historically affiliated with the region's two main political parties: Unit 80, affiliated with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), and Unit 70, affiliated with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).

The Peshmerga forces, in their legal status, are based on the constitutional powers granted to the region in managing its own security forces and regional guard. However, their organizational structure has for years remained divided between brigades directly subordinate to the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs and others under the influence of the two main political parties.

Following the emergence of ISIS in 2014, international efforts to reform these forces accelerated. The International Coalition, particularly the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, has been working to support a strategic project aimed at unifying the Peshmerga in terms of administrative affiliation, armament, military doctrine, command structure, funding mechanisms, deployment map, as well as training and the provision of military assistance and grants.