Peshmerga Ministry: US Withdrawal Requires Vigilance

The Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs in the Kurdistan Regional Government said that US forces will withdraw from Iraqi territory, including the Kurdistan Region, on September 30. It said the withdrawal follows a mutual understanding between the Iraqi federal government, the United States, and the international coalition.

In a statement issued today, the ministry said the withdrawal comes at a sensitive time, amid continued security instability in Iraq and the Middle East. It stressed that the ongoing instability in the region requires vigilance and sound political decisions.

The ministry added that the Kurdistan Region came under more than 1,000 drone and ballistic missile attacks during the war between the United States and Iran in recent months. Some of the attacks targeted civilian areas, resulting in casualties and material damage.

The Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs expressed concern over the withdrawal of US forces from the region amid complex regional security conditions, without the provision of a defensive system. At the same time, it stressed that protecting the airspace of the Kurdistan Region, as part of Iraqi airspace, falls under the responsibility of the federal government.

The ministry affirmed that the Peshmerga Forces are prepared to respond to any new developments or threats and are capable of adapting to different circumstances and confronting risks.

In the same context, the ministry expressed its gratitude to the United States and coalition forces, commending the support and cooperation they have provided to the Kurdistan Region and the Peshmerga Forces over the past years.