Bakhtiar Muhammad, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Peshmerga, stressed the necessity of accelerating the reunification of the Peshmerga forces, noting that following the process, the goal is to arm and advance the Peshmerga. 

The unification of the Peshmerga forces remains a long-standing reform initiative aimed at consolidating Kurdish military units under a unified, nonpartisan chain of command within the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs. 

Under a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Department of War, all Peshmerga forces must be unified under the Ministry of Peshmerga by the end of September.

Under this framework, the Peshmerga forces are slated to merge and will be divided into two operational sectors, designated as Region One and Region Two, totaling 11 divisions. The Great Zab (Upper Zab) River, which flows through the Duhok and Erbil provinces, will serve as the geographic dividing line between the two regions. 

Command structure and Review Phase for Newly Formed Regions 

The Secretary-General told Channel8 that operations for Region One and Region Two are ready to commence. 

A top priority for the ministry is establishing joint teamwork, coordination, and unified command and control structures between the two sectors under the Ministry of Peshmerga. 

After this phase, officials will review the ministry’s organizational structure, its joint operations with the two sectors, and its coordination with higher authorities, including the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Presidency.

Modernization and Advanced Training 

Muhammad highlighted that following unification, the Peshmerga forces will undergo advanced training and comprehensive re-armament to enhance their operational capabilities.

He emphasized that ongoing coalition support and expertise remain vital to equipping the force against contemporary threats like drones and cyber warfare, ultimately ensuring long-term stability in the Kurdistan Region and the wider area.

Peshmerga Constitutionally Recognized 

The Secretary-General further stated that from a legal perspective, the Peshmerga forces are constitutionally recognized as an official military entity. 

He underlined that reorganizing personnel, modernizing weaponry, and adapting to contemporary security threats are standard, ongoing practices within any nation's armed forces. 

Ministry Denies Official Notice on Rumored New Iraqi Ministry 

Addressing rumors regarding the potential creation of a new Iraqi federal ministry to consolidate all armed forces outside of the defense and interior ministries, the Secretary-General confirmed that the Ministry of Peshmerga has received no official communications on the matter.

Future Defense Accords as Current Coalition Deal Nears End

The Secretary-General noted that current coalition assistance will conclude at the end of September upon the expiration of the mutual commitment. However, ministry officials anticipate future continuity, ideally through a bilateral framework with the U.S. Department of War or via the federal government to ensure the Peshmerga’s inclusion in subsequent defense agreements. 

Muhammad said the international coalition holds the Peshmerga in high regard as a regional symbol against terrorism, stating that strengthening the force is a vital national and patriotic duty.