Kurdistan Vice President Highlights Need for Unified Peshmerga & Government Reforms

Interviews 10:52 AM - 2025-02-12

Sheikh Jaafar Sheikh Mustafa, Kurdistan Region's Vice President.

Sheikh Jaafar Sheikh Mustafa, the Vice President of the Kurdistan Region, emphasised the importance of unifying the Peshmerga forces and eliminating all obstacles that hinder this process in an interview with Kurdistani Nwe Newspaper.

During the interview, Sheikh Jaafar Sheikh Mustafa stated: "In the Kurdistan Region, we require a unified force for the Peshmerga to safeguard our achievements and tackle the external threats confronting the Region. We need a national force that is prepared to implement laws and directives." 

He further remarked: "There should be no armed forces operating outside the law. The unified Peshmerga forces must fall under the command of the Peshmerga Ministry." 

Unification of Peshmerga Forces 

For several years, there have been significant efforts to unify the Peshmerga forces, resulting in the unification of 14 brigades under the Peshmerga Ministry, with assistance from the international coalition forces. Sheikh Jaafar said: "While the unification of the Peshmerga forces is progressing slowly, with various challenges and obstacles in the way, there is great hope and progress has been made. Recently, several teams have been formed, and the Peshmerga forces have been organised into those teams. Soon, regional commands will be established to oversee those teams, with the first command to be based in Erbil and Duhok, and the second in Sulaymaniyah, Halabja, and Garmian."

Relations between the Peshmerga Ministry and the Defence Ministry

The Vice President of the Kurdistan Region noted: "There are good relations between the Peshmerga Ministry and the Ministry of Defence."

Sheikh Jaafar added: "It is important to highlight that the Peshmerga forces are part of the Iraqi defence system." 

He also said: "Positive progress has been made in forming the joint brigades, which are now in the process of carrying out their assigned tasks and covering the security gaps between the Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi army."

Formation of the Government

Sheikh Jaafar Sheikh Mustafa said: "Discussions regarding the formation of the new government are ongoing, and there is a positive energy in this regard. The joint technical committees have completed their tasks, and the negotiating committees are scheduled to meet soon to discuss the government formation. We hope that the political parties will achieve positive results." 

He further remarked: "The new government must work diligently to resolve the issues, particularly the salary problem, and focus on the development of reconstruction and services. It must prioritise the welfare and livelihoods of the citizens."


PUKMEDIA / Kurdistani Nwe