On Monday, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs (MoPA) raised concerns over the fact that U.S. forces will withdraw on September 30 without leaving air defenses for the Kurdistan Region.

“During the war between the United States and Iran in recent months, the Kurdistan Region was subjected to more than 1,000 drone and ballistic missile attacks, some of which struck civilian areas. These attacks resulted in several deaths and injuries, as well as material damage,” the MoPA said.

Nevertheless, the MoPA stated that they “are confident that the airspace of the Kurdistan Region, as part of the airspace of the federal government, is the responsibility and a priority of the federal government, which must assume responsibility for protecting the Kurdistan Region’s airspace when necessary.”

The MoPA noted that the withdrawal of U.S. and coalition forces from Iraq comes at a sensitive time, particularly as the security situation in Iraq and the Middle East remains unstable and requires vigilance and sound political decision-making. “The continuation of instability in the region poses a threat to the entire area.”

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“The Peshmerga forces, just as they have been protectors of the land and people of Kurdistan in the past, are prepared for any new possibility or development in the future. They are capable of adapting to any undesirable circumstances and confronting threats.

“The Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs, as part of Iraq’s defense system, has strong constitutional and security relations with the Iraqi Army and will continue to cooperate and coordinate with it through joint efforts,” the MoPA added.

On Sunday, KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s media office stated that the Prime Minister’s position is that leaving the Kurdistan Region without adequate air defense makes the region vulnerable.

Prime Minister Barzani also said it cannot procure such aerial defenses because these have to be purchased by the federal government in Baghdad.

“When we are prevented from purchasing adequate weapons that are needed against these incoming missiles and drones and sophisticated systems, then of course, we are deliberately becoming vulnerable, becoming weaker,” he recently told the Financial Times.

The MoPA expressed its gratitude to the United States and its coalition partners, adding that it appreciates the assistance and support they have provided to the Kurdistan Region and the Peshmerga forces in the past.

In a X post on Sunday, the U.S. Central Command underlined that the Coalition was created in 2014 “to advise, assist, and enable partner forces in the fight against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

“Over the last 12 years, the United States and Coalition partners have achieved tremendous success in eliminating and capturing thousands of terrorists.”

During the war against ISIS, the Peshmerga were one of the main ground partners of the United States, receiving weapons, stipends, ammunition, vehicles, training, intelligence, air support and institutional assistance from the United States and other Coalition members.