On Monday, the Peshmerga Medical Force Readiness Initiative was announced. Funded by Spirit of America, the program will ensure peshmerga leaders have accurate, up-to-date data on the medical status and readiness of soldiers.
The software system – created by the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs (MoPA) and the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Department of Information Technology – gathers and analyzes data regarding the medical readiness of peshmerga field units. Whereas gathering the names of medical officers previously took weeks to complete, this system provides peshmerga leaders with accurate, up-to-date information on the medical status and readiness of soldiers.
“The peshmerga fought heroically against ISIS, and as I noted in my remarks, they played a historic role in that campaign. But imagine how many more lives could have been saved if they had better technology and capabilities,” Zack Bazzi, Spirit of America’s Regional Director of the Middle East and Central Asia, told Kurdistan Chronicle. “That is our goal: to ensure the MoPA receives the best support to help guard and protect this region.
“It’s a big goal. Working with the MoPA’s Directorate of General Medical Affairs (DGMA) and the Department of Information Technology help transform the way the Ministry collects and analyzes data for more than 50 brigades, division headquarters, and training centers across the region,” he said.
“We think this will catalyze additional transformative effects to other components of the MoPA.”
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Spirit of America previously provided six thermal camera systems to the peshmerga forces and has provided metal detectors, first aid kits, and medical equipment to the peshmerga in the past. Furthermore, the organization has partnered with local universities to organize English-language programs for officers and soldiers. Much of their focus these days is on institutional capacity-building efforts.
“The medical initiative we celebrate today is a strong example of this work, in collaboration with the Department of Information Technology.” Bazzi said in his speech. “As a result, we are transforming how the Ministry collects and manages data.
“We have a ten-year track record here in Iraqi Kurdistan supporting the peshmerga, especially during the fight against ISIS,” Bazzi told Kurdistan Chronicle. “Working with our friends at the DGMA and the Department of Information Technology and this kind of capacity building is not easy, but that’s what allows us to achieve lasting results.”
Shakhawan Anwar Ali, Deputy Director of the DGMA, added that the system is “actually a modern digital system for the health affairs of the peshmerga forces, covering human resources and medical logistics.
“Over the past two days, we have conducted continuous training for our peshmerga affairs teams on how to use this platform, providing special instructions and military assistance. The DGMA has also supported this important initiative,” he said at the event.
Dr. Reza Ismail Seniar, Director of the DGMA, added that military medical support is essential in battle.
“Beyond treating injuries sustained in battle, it is essential to safeguard the health of the peshmerga forces even before they go to war,” he said. “To achieve this, we need a modern digital system that ensures we are prepared for any situation, along with continuous medical training, improved facilities, and safe, well-equipped hospitals for both immediate and long-term treatment.”
In the presence of the #MoPA Minister, the @USCGERBIL, the MoPA Chief of Staff, the Commander of the @forces_command, senior officers, and a team of #coalition forces. The #Health Initiative Conference was held in order to Digitalize Health Platform for #peshmarga forces. pic.twitter.com/80XqmvzdNq
— Ministry of Peshmerga (@KRG_MOPE) April 28, 2025
Minister of Peshmerga Affairs Shoresh Ismail added that the “new digital program for medical evacuation, assessment, and treatment is a great success. It improves the preparedness of peshmerga units for different situations and strengthens our response during operations.
“The MoPA strongly supports these initiatives. I would like to sincerely thank Spirit of America for their loyalty and continuous support to the MoPA,” he added.
“We must continue to improve. We are still facing challenges such as corruption and the need for deeper reforms. However, we remain determined, because these reforms are essential for realizing the everlasting dream of the Kurdish people: to have a united force,” he concluded.
Read More: Partnership With Peshmerga Instrumental in Anti-ISIS Fight: U.S.
Pleased to see the launch of the @KRG_MOPA Medical Force Readiness platform supported by our partner @spiritamerica. This program will strengthen the Peshmerga Forces’ combat readiness by enhancing their medical reporting and data collection capabilities. pic.twitter.com/qO9dkUu1Zf
— U.S. Consulate General Erbil (@USCGERBIL) April 28, 2025
U.S. Consul General to the Kurdistan Region Steven Bitner acknowledged the presence of MoPA officials, including the Minister of Peshmerga Affairs. “Your presence is a testament to the importance of this initiative and to the strong and enduring relationship between the United States and Iraqi Kurdistan.
“I want to recognize Zack Bazzi and Alex Ebsary from Spirit of America for their support to the peshmergaforces.
“Efficient medical operations are an essential force multiplier that enhance peshmerga forces preparedness in the field. As you heard, this program will provide MoPA medical officers with accurate medical data and the platform will also standardize medical reporting to unify medical officers’ efforts across all units.
“The platform is part of our efforts to professionalize and depoliticize the peshmerga forces to create an effective fighting force, a fighting force that reports to the KRG and not to individual political parties.”
Peshmerga soldiers are split between political factions, with 70 units under the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and 80 units under the Kurdistan Democratic Party. The reform plan seeks to unify partisan peshmerga forces under the MoPA by 2026.
A renewed non-binding memorandum of understanding signed by the U.S. Department of Defense and the MoPA in 2022 committed to providing support to the peshmerga, but only if key reforms continue.
“In addition to our support for the depoliticization of the peshmerga forces for over a decade, we have supported the MoPA with U.S. standard medical training resources and facilities, improving the force’s ability to respond to multiple threats and provide their soldiers with sufficient medical care,” Consul General Bitner added. “Together we are able to create a more secure and stable Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan Region to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS.”
