Analyst: Peshmerga Plays Crucial Role in stabilising Iraq & Combating Regional Extremism

Kurdistan 05:56 PM - 2024-12-29

Kurdish Peshmerga forces.

Manish Rai, a Geopolitical Analyst for the Middle East who recently visited the Peshmerga forces in the Kurdistan Region, stated in an article, published on the International Policy Digest, that the Peshmerga, Kurdish forces known for their resilience and strategic expertise, play a crucial role in stabilising Iraq and combating regional extremism despite facing resource and political challenges.

Speaking of the Peshmerga's role in defeating the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq, Rai wrote: "In 2014, as the Iraqi military faltered under the ISIS advance, it was the Peshmerga who stepped up, halting and reversing ISIS’s expansion."

Regarding modernisation and reform within the force, he said: "Since 2019, the Peshmerga have undergone significant reforms to unify and modernise their forces. Traditionally divided along party lines, efforts are underway to transform these units into a cohesive professional military under the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs. Minister Shoresh Ismail emphasised that unification is essential for gaining international support and advanced weaponry."

Peshmerga Minister Shoresh Ismail previously told Rai in an interview that there is no hindrance as such. 

He said: "The process of unifying all the Peshmerga units is underway. We are receiving support for this effort from the coalition forces led by the United States. There is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two biggest parties of Kurdistan, KDP and PUK, to unify the Peshmerga forces by the end of 2026."

A Reliable Ally

 

Rai further stated that Kurdistan’s strategic value as a base for the anti-ISIS coalition cannot be overstated. 

"The Peshmerga’s role in stabilising the region and combating radical Islamist threats has reshaped global perceptions of the Kurds," he added. 

He noted: "Once seen as a destabilising force, they have emerged as indispensable allies. Their contributions have not gone unnoticed; a clear majority of U.S. lawmakers have previously supported direct arms provisions for the Kurds.US cultural tours."

He called on the international community to support the Peshmerga forces, stating: "It is time for the international community to recognise the Peshmerga’s critical role and provide the support they need. As steadfast allies of the U.S.-led coalition, the Peshmerga deserve the resources necessary to continue their fight against extremism and ensure the stability of a volatile region. Their enduring spirit remains a cornerstone of peace and security in one of the world’s most tumultuous regions."

In the previous interview with Rai, Kurdistan Region's Peshmerga Minister Shoresh Ismail said: "The Peshmerga played an important role in defeating ISIS and we have sacrificed more than 10,000 wounded and 2,000 martyrs."

In that same interview Ismail called on the international community and the Iraqi government to include Peshmerga forces in their bilateral agreements, stating: "We expect that each country that is part of the international coalition against terrorism should enter into bilateral agreements with the Iraqi federal government, and we should also be included in such agreements. We are playing an essential role in the fight against terrorism in this region. I am not saying that we should be included as a third party in these bilateral engagements. However, it should be considered that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), as per the Iraqi constitution, is an autonomous region of Iraq. Hence, we should be part of every agreement about counter-terror efforts."



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