Kurdistan unifies Peshmerga forces under a single ministry

The Kurdistan Region has unified all Peshmerga formations under the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs, with officials confirming no forces remain outside the ministry.

• The Kurdistan Region announced Monday the unification of all Peshmerga formations under the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs, confirming no forces remain outside the ministry.
• Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi said the unification consolidates national security and the unity of the defense decision.
• Regional President Nechirvan Barzani said the step begins a new phase of coordination with Iraqi forces to combat terrorism.
• Masrour Barzani said the Peshmerga are part of the Iraqi defense system, calling them constitutional forces to be developed and strengthened.
• The unification was announced during a ceremony in Erbil attended by KRG President Nechirvan Barzani and senior officials.
• The reorganization establishes unified operational, training, and command sectors under a single command structure.
• The unification merges 11 Peshmerga divisions, though the two main forces remain outside the process due to KDP-PUK disputes and the failure to form a regional government.
• The move coincides with strengthening air defenses to protect the region from rockets and drones.
• The unification comes amid American and international pressure and Iraqi government demands for a state monopoly on weapons.