Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, in a speech to attendees of the inauguration ceremony for the Third and Fourth Infantry Divisions of the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs (MoPA) on Tuesday, underlined that the peshmerga must function as a national entity, devoid of political and party influences.

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The ceremony was attended by Major General Kevin Leahy, Commander of the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve, along with several other senior officials and international representatives.

Major General Leahy also separately met with the Kurdistan Region President and both officials shared perspectives on the recent developments in the reform process within the MoPA.

“This event marks a significant advancement in the reform process and the unification of the peshmerga, as they will now function under the auspices of the MoPA of the Kurdistan Regional Government,” President Barzani said.

President Nechirvan Barzani met with @CJTFOIR Commander Major General Kevin Leahy to discuss security in Iraq and Syria, the ISIS threat, and cooperation with the International Coalition. They also reviewed Peshmerga reform and developments in the wider region. pic.twitter.com/9W10d1LOBj

— KRP Media (@MediaKRP) February 4, 2025

“This force aims to be ever more professional and well-structured, thereby enhancing our capacity to safeguard and defend the nation against any potential threats.”

The Kurdistan Region President urged the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) to work together to ensure the success of the reform process and the unification of the peshmerga.

“Achieving this goal is a collective national responsibility, and it is imperative that we address all challenges confronting this initiative. Ultimately, it is essential that all peshmerga forces, as a unified national entity, operate under the auspices of the MoPA, which should be governed by a single leadership, centralized control, and a unified direction.”

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Currently, the 70th unit of the  peshmerga is overseen by the PUK, and 80th by the KDP. The reform project aims to unify these forces under the MoPA by 2026.

The United States, the UK, Italy, Germany, France, and the Netherlands are part of the multi-national advisory group that supports the peshmerga reform process.

“We in the Kurdistan Region express our profound gratitude for the contributions made by our allies in the U.S.-led international coalition, who have provided invaluable support to us in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region during our most challenging periods,” President Barzani said, thanking the United States, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Hungary, Italy, and France.

“(They) have contributed to the establishment of essential principles for the integration of the peshmerga within the framework of the MoPA. This initiative aims to transform the peshmerga into a professional and transparent force, dedicated to serving the people of Kurdistan with loyalty and becoming an integral component of the Iraqi defense system.”