The U.S.-led anti-ISIS coalition – also known as the Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve – stated in a post on X that it is dedicated to maintaining stability in the Kurdistan Region and building the capabilities of its partners.
In the post, the Coalition said that in a meeting known as a Key Leader Engagement, a Coalition advisor discussed optimizing effectiveness with a peshmerga general, with the goal of enabling partner force efficiency.
We stand hand in hand with our partners.
— Operation Inherent Resolve (@CJTFOIR) August 18, 2025
In this Key Leader Engagement, a Coalition advisor discussed optimizing effectivity with a Peshmerga General. This was done to continue to enable partner force efficiency. The Coalition is dedicated to maintain stability and security in… pic.twitter.com/j3IDKiWjwV
In another post on X, the Coalition also added that “Partner forces and coalition advisors meet regularly in these Key Leader Engagements to continue to build partner capacities and capabilities.”
A renewed non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs (MoPA) in 2022 committed to providing support to the peshmerga, but only if key reforms continue.
The Pentagon’s quarterly inspector general report to the U.S. Congress published on July 29 underlined that within the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, Coalition advisors are working with the MoPA to implement a four-year reform plan established between the DoD and the Kurdistan Regional Government.
“The reform plan seeks to unify partisan peshmerga forces under the MoPA, which is responsible for maintaining the territorial integrity of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and coordinating with the Iraqi Ministry of Defense in Baghdad,” the report said.
The most important key to being effective in a team environment is Communication.
— Operation Inherent Resolve (@CJTFOIR) August 17, 2025
Partner forces and coalition advisors meet regularly in these Key Leader Engagements to continue to build partner capacities and capabilities, and ensure security and stability within the region.… pic.twitter.com/XUqQC53PwJ
The report added that under the MoU, it is expected that the size of the peshmerga force operating under the MoPA’s command will be 138,000. As of late May, the MoPA had 72,000 peshmerga under its authority, but many more remain outside of the MoPA and under the command of the preexisting partisan organizations of the 70s and 80s Forces.
