Latest news with #BabakirZebari
Rudaw Net
6 days ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
US-led coalition support for Peshmerga to continue: Peshmerga ministry official
Also in Kurdistan Halabja not its own constituency in Iraq's parliamentary elections PKK leader gives Makhmour camp residents hope of return KRG offers free online Kurdish classes for diaspora Suspect turns himself in after Halabja double homicide A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Assistance to the Kurdish Peshmerga from the US-led Global Coalition to Defeat the Islamic State (ISIS) will continue in accordance with existing agreements between Erbil and Washington, a senior official from the Kurdistan Region's Peshmerga Ministry told Rudaw on Sunday. The remarks come amid reports that the United States may be planning to reduce or eliminate support for the Kurdish forces. Lieutenant Colonel Bakhtiar Mohammed, secretary-general of the Peshmerga Ministry, confirmed that "according to the bilateral memorandum of understanding, the aid will continue until October 2026." As part of this assistance, the coalition provides an estimated $20 to $25 million in monthly aid to the Peshmerga. However, recent media reports suggest that this support may be significantly reduced or potentially redirected to Iraqi security forces, including the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS), later this year. For years, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has sought to unify its various military units into a single, professional, and depoliticized national force. This initiative has received strong backing from international partners, especially the United States and its coalition allies. Central to the effort is the integration of Unit 70 and Unit 80 - affiliated with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), respectively - into a unified command structure. Together, these units comprise the bulk of the Peshmerga, totaling over 100,000 troops. Despite consistent international support, the unification process has faced recurring obstacles. Between 2010 and 2013, approximately 42,000 fighters from Unit 70 and Unit 80 were merged, resulting in the formation of 14 brigades. However, progress stalled amid internal political disputes and the outbreak of war against ISIS in 2014. In 2018, the process was revived through a 35-point reform plan developed with coalition partners. Most recently, in late April, an initiative to digitize health data for Peshmerga forces was launched as part of the broader effort to professionalize the forces. The US-based NGO Spirit of America funded the project. In July, Babakir Zebari, former chief of staff of Iraq's Army and advisor to the Kurdistan Region's presidency, told Rudaw that Peshmerga unification had entered its final phase and would be completed by the end of the year. 'So far, ten brigades have been formed. We are now on the final one, and the process will be completed this year. All forces will be unified,' he said. However, on Sunday, Lieutenant Colonel Mohammed acknowledged that 'the unification of all Kurdish Peshmerga forces continues and has not stopped, but it is proceeding slowly.' He cited several reasons for the delay, including the absence of a 'dedicated budget' for the Kurdish Peshmerga as well as 'problems between Erbil and Baghdad have their own impact.' Another contributing factor, according to Mohammed, is the delay in forming the KRG's tenth cabinet. Following parliamentary elections in October, the KDP emerged as the largest party with 39 seats in the 100-member legislature, followed by the PUK with 23 seats. With no party holding a majority, coalition negotiations between the two ruling parties have continued for months. Another reason for the slow progress, according to Mohammed, is the delay in forming the KRG's tenth cabinet. Preeminent Kurdish leader and KDP head Masoud Barzani on Monday revealed that a 'better level of understanding' had been reached between the PUK and the KDP regarding the formation of the new cabinet, which he said would be completed ahead of Iraq's legislative elections in November.
Rudaw Net
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Peshmerga unification enters final phase, set for completion by year-end: Advisor
Also in Kurdistan Kurdistan parliament to enter summer recess despite political stalemate Erbil emergency water project enters testing phase Blaze scorches hundreds of dunams in Sulaimani province Explosive drone crashes in Duhok camp housing Yazidis A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The long-awaited unification of the Kurdistan Region's Peshmerga forces has entered its final phase and is expected to be completed by the end of the year, an advisor to the Region's presidency and former chief of staff of Iraq's Army, Babakir Zebari, told Rudaw on Tuesday. Efforts are now focused on forming the last of the 11 planned brigades, with ten already established. 'We are working on force unification and brigade formation,' Zebari said, adding, 'So far, ten brigades have been formed. We are now on the final one, and the process will be completed this year. All forces will be unified,' he stressed. This milestone represents a major step toward consolidating all Peshmerga units under the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs. The effort includes integrating the powerful Unit 70 and Unit 80 forces - affiliated with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), respectively - into a single chain of command. These two units together comprise the majority of the Peshmerga forces, totaling over 100,000 troops. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has pursued the unification of its military forces for years, aiming to establish a professional, depoliticized national force free from partisan control. The initiative has received consistent backing from international allies, particularly the United States and the US-led Global Coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS). In January, Abdulkhaliq Babiri, undersecretary of the Peshmerga ministry, told Rudaw that support from the coalition - including logistical, equipment, and financial aid - is ongoing. Washington has pledged to continue its support through 2026. Despite steady international support, the unification process has faced numerous setbacks. Between 2010 and 2013, approximately 42,000 Peshmerga from Unit 70 and Unit 80 were merged, and 14 brigades were formed. However, progress was stalled by internal political tensions and the outbreak of war against ISIS in 2014. A renewed push came in 2018 with the announcement of a 35-point reform plan for unification, developed in collaboration with international partners. More recently, in December, the Peshmerga ministry revealed plans to establish two operations command centers overseeing the 11 brigades. This effort aims to improve command and control, standardize training, and enhance operational effectiveness. Additionally, an initiative to digitize health data for Peshmerga forces, funded by the US-based Spirit of America NGO, was launched in late April, as part of the broader efforts to professionalize and depoliticize the forces.
