Iraq’s Kurdistan region unifies Peshmerga forces under one command

On Monday, Iraq's Kurdistan region announced the historic unification of its Peshmerga forces under the command of the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs. This ends decades of division between forces affiliated with the two rival Kurdish ruling parties, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).

The Peshmerga, meaning "those who face death," are the Kurdish fighters in northern Iraq who have been the national armed force of the Kurdish people. Engaging in wars with central governments in Baghdad, they have been recognized as part of the national Iraqi security forces since the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.

Despite previous attempts, loyalties remained divided between the two main rivals. The unification ceremony, attended by President Nechirvan Barzani, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, and senior Peshmerga commanders, US-led international coalition advisers, and Iraqi federal government representatives, marked a significant step.

President Barzani emphasized that the reforms aim to create a professional, national institution, dissociating the Peshmerga from party influence. The Prime Minister noted that the unification is a historic achievement, crucial for the regional and national defense system.

The US has long demanded such unification for nearly a decade, providing financial support, weapons, training, and air support through the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs. The unification is seen as a strategic requirement for continued US military assistance.

However, while the Kurdistan region consolidates its forces, Baghdad faces its own challenge – bringing Iran-backed militias under state control. This effort is more complex, as these groups have independent financing, political wings, and regional alliances. Both reforms are seen as essential for Iraq's sovereignty and stability by Iraqi and US officials.