Kurdistan Region to Have 11 Unified Military Divisions Under the Ministry of Peshmerga

ARK News.. The Director General of Media and Awareness at the Ministry of Peshmerga has announced that the reform and unification process of the armed forces has reached a highly advanced stage, affirming that the Kurdistan Region will soon have 11 unified military divisions operating under the Ministry of Peshmerga.

According to Kurdistan24, Othman Mohammed, Director General of Media and Awareness at the Ministry of Peshmerga, said that the unification of the Peshmerga forces had been one of the most sensitive and important components of the reform process, particularly as the forces had previously been administered under two separate commands. He explained that the ministry had worked intensively to bring all these forces under a single military structure, stressing that significant progress had been achieved.

Mohammed added that the First Regional Command has fully completed its restructuring process, including all of its divisions and brigades, with no remaining unification procedures. Meanwhile, the Second Regional Command is still awaiting the resolution of a number of minor administrative issues, which are expected to be completed by September.

The Director General of Media and Awareness stated, "By the end of September, the force unification process across the entire Kurdistan Region will be completed. Once this phase is finalized, the next stage will focus on modern military training and qualification programs for officers and personnel serving in these newly unified military formations."

He further noted that the former Units 70 and 80 have undergone fundamental structural changes and have been reorganized within the framework of the Regional Commands. He said there are now no structural or organizational differences between them. Due to geographical considerations, however, the number of divisions will vary, with the First Region comprising six divisions, while the Second Region will consist of five divisions. As a result, the Kurdistan Region will officially have 11 unified military divisions operating under the Ministry of Peshmerga and the Kurdistan Regional Government.

Mohammed attributed the success of this national project to the continuous commitment of Prime Minister Masrour Barzani over the past five years, noting that he had consistently emphasized the importance of achieving the project's objectives. Mohammed said, "Thanks to the directives of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, we have now reached a new stage in the history of the Peshmerga forces."

He also highlighted three key benefits of the unification process:

Reassuring citizens that all armed forces are now operating under a single legal authority, namely the Ministry of Peshmerga.
Standardizing the military structure and organizational system across all forces.
Equalizing the salaries, rights, and financial entitlements of officers and personnel without discrimination, a long-standing demand of the public, the government, and international partners.

He affirmed that coordination and cooperation with the International Coalition forces continue at a high level.

Mohammed added that the ministry remains committed to protecting the region's security. In this context, two joint brigades comprising Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi Army have been activated to deploy in Kurdish areas outside the Kurdistan Region's administration in order to confront ISIS militants and other terrorist groups. He also confirmed that a contingent of the International Coalition forces will remain in the Kurdistan Region to continue providing support and assistance missions.

48