Staff Lieutenant General Issa Ozer, Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Peshmerga, stated that they made "serious efforts" regarding the reunification of Units 70 and 80 under the umbrella of the Ministry of Peshmerga, announcing that two commands of Region One have been finalized.

The landmark four-year security agreement (MoU) signed on September 21, 2022, between the United States Department of Defense and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) serves as a conditional framework linking American military and financial aid directly to defense professionalization. 

Following its enactment, Washington, the International Coalition, the European Union, and other partners have consistently pressured Kurdish political parties to accelerate structural integration before the critical September 2026 expiration deadline. 

Supervised by Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, this initiative acts as a modern roadmap for transforming the Kurdish military from partisan forces into a professional, non-partisan defense force. The project aims to restructure the armed forces to ensure a unified, national security entity. 

Within the framework, the Peshmerga forces decided to be merged and divided into two regions, namely Region One and Region Two, totaling 11 divisions. The Great Zab (Upper Zab) River, which flows through Duhok and Erbil provinces, will serve as the dividing line between the two regions.

Peshmerga Reunification Expected by September, Eight Divisions Finalized

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Chief of Staff Issa Ozer said that the ministry has been able to form up to eight divisions, adding that The reunification process is expected to be completed by the end of September.

“We are awaiting the 10th Divisions and the command of Region 2 to submit their lists to the Ministry of Peshmerga,” he added.

Ozer Highlights Challenges in Reunification Process

Ozer noted that the reunification process is “complex" and needs sweeping institutional undertaking, adding that completing the reorganization of Unit 70 and Unit 80 remains a significant challenge that cannot be easily achieved within a brief timeframe. 

However, he stresses that they are "optimistic" that the process will be completed prior to that date.

U.S.-Kurdistan Relations and Future Military Reforms

Regarding the ongoing engagement between the U.S. and the ministry, Ozer highlighted that there is "a bilateral agreement" with the United States so that the new government of the Kurdistan Region “can assume its duties.”

The chief of staff indicated that in August, a meeting will be held, and “we will try to reach a new agreement within the framework of the Iraqi government that takes into account the Ministry of Peshmerga and the security forces of the Kurdistan Region.” 

He further expressed hope that "a national force will be formed within the Ministry of Peshmerga under the umbrella of the government and the presidency of the [Kurdistan] Region."

Nechirvan Barzani Criticizes Slow Peshmerga Reunification

Speaking at the Zakho Military College last week, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani criticized the slow pace of the Peshmerga reunification process, warning that the stagnation damages the region's international reputation with global partners.

He emphasized that building a unified national defense force is a fateful necessity, while asserting that the federal government in Baghdad is constitutionally obligated to provide weapons and financial support to these forces.