70 Forces Commander Confirms Transfer Under Unified Peshmerga Command
At a Glance:
- Gen-Omar Saleh, Commander of the 70 Forces, confirmed submitting formal correspondence to transfer all unit forces under the direct authority of the Ministry of Peshmerga.
- The announcement follows the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs' formal declaration on September 10, 2026, marking the successful completion of its force integration process.
- Reorganized Peshmerga units have officially assumed duty under two newly established umbrella structures: the First Regional Command and the Second Regional Command.
- The consolidation completes a four-year strategic roadmap launched in 2022 under a Memorandum of Understanding between the KRG and the U.S. Department of Defense.
Gen-Omar Saleh, Commander of the 70 Forces, confirmed to Channel8 that official correspondence has been submitted to transfer all affiliated units directly under the command of the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs. The move follows the ministry's declaration on September 10, 2026, marking the completion of a multi-year reform initiative aimed at institutionalizing all regional defense units into a unified national force.
Key Statements and Focus Area:
- General Omar Saleh (Commander, 70 Forces):
"We have always been ready and taken the initiative to form a national army for the Kurdistan Region. Our correspondence confirms the direct transfer of our forces under the Ministry of Peshmerga."
Peshmerga Forces Unification Reform Timeline and Command Architecture
| Milestone Phase | Implementation Date | Strategic Objective & Operational Outcome |
| U.S.-KRG MoU | 2022 | Established four-year reform roadmap setting September 2026 as the unification target. |
| Legal & Executive Decrees | Early 2024 | KRG Presidency and Council of Ministers enacted legal transfer of 70/80 Forces authority. |
| Ministry Declaration | September 10, 2026 | Ministry of Peshmerga formally announced total completion of force reorganization. |
| Regional Commands Activated | September 2026 | Units deployed under newly established First Regional Command and Second Regional Command. |
Completion of Command Structure Reorganization
The confirmation from the 70 Forces commander signals the operational realization of executive decrees issued in early 2024 by the Kurdistan Region Presidency and the KRG Council of Ministers. Under the finalized architecture, the historic divisions between the 70 Forces and 80 Forces have been restructured into standardized brigades, divisions, and joint regional headquarters. Forces have now officially begun operational duties under the First and Second Regional Commands, establishing a single chain of command under the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs.
International Support and Institutional Defense Integration
The force consolidation directly fulfills key security benchmarks outlined in the 2022 Memorandum of Understanding between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the U.S. Department of Defense. By eliminating partisan command structures and establishing a centralized administrative and financial framework, regional defense officials aim to strengthen coalition defense support, streamline logistical planning, and institutionalize the Peshmerga as a professional national army.
FYI
By meeting the September 2026 deadline established with international coalition partners, the successful transfer of the 70 Forces under the Ministry of Peshmerga marks a critical transition from partisan force structures to unified regional defense command. The operational launch of the First and Second Regional Commands cements the institutional framework required for future international defense aid and joint security integration across Iraq.
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