SOFREP Pic of the Day: Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga Fighter Circa 2003

They are the military forces of the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan. The name “Peshmerga” translates to “those who face death” or “those who stand in front of death.” This force has a rich history and has been integral in the broader Middle Eastern military landscape. Here are some key points about the Peshmerga:

Origins

The roots of the Peshmerga stretch back centuries, but the modern Peshmerga forces were formally established after the end of World War I and the establishment of the modern state of Iraq.

Two Major Factions

The Peshmerga forces are largely divided between the two main Kurdish political parties: the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). Historically, these factions have had differences and have even clashed with one another.

Battles against Saddam Hussein

The Peshmerga were involved in resistance against the Ba’athist regime of Saddam Hussein, particularly during the Anfal campaign in the 1980s, where Saddam’s forces committed atrocities against the Kurdish people.

Role in the Fight Against ISIS

The Peshmerga played a vital role in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) starting in 2014. They defended Kurdish territories and also recaptured significant territories from ISIS with the assistance of the international coalition.

Women in the Peshmerga

Throughout the history of the Peshmerga, women have held pivotal roles. Historically, the Kurdish Zand tribe was progressive in its stance towards female participation in the military. While the broader Iraqi-Kurdish conflict saw women predominantly in support capacities—ranging from establishing camps and tending to the injured to transporting ammunition and dispatching messages—there were remarkable exceptions. One notable figure is Margaret George Malik, an Assyrian resistance fighter who spearheaded major combat events like the Zawita Valley battle.

In the midst of the Kurdish Civil War, the PUK began actively enlisting women, providing them with foundational military training that covered various aspects, from parade drills to handling diverse weaponry like rifles, mortars, and RPGs.

Preceding the 2003 U.S. intervention in Iraq, Operation Viking Hammer was initiated by the United States. This operation successfully countered terrorist factions in Iraqi Kurdistan, unveiling a chemical weaponry site in the process. Subsequently, the PUK acknowledged the involvement of female Kurdish combatants in this significant operation.

Relationship with Baghdad

The relationship between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Erbil, which oversees the Peshmerga, and the central government in Baghdad has historically been tense. Disputes over territory, oil revenues, and political autonomy have often been contentious.

U.S. and International Support

The Peshmerga have received training and support from several international actors, especially the U.S., particularly in the context of the fight against ISIS.

Kirkuk and Contested Areas

Kirkuk is a city that has historically been a point of contention between the KRG and the central Iraqi government. The Peshmerga took control of Kirkuk in 2014 when the Iraqi army fled from the advancing ISIS forces. However, after an independence referendum in 2017, Baghdad quickly reasserted control over the city.

Challenges

While the Peshmerga is lauded for its role in the fight against ISIS, the force also faces challenges, including political divisions, the need for modernization, and the ongoing negotiation of its role vis-à-vis the central Iraqi government.

Future Role

The future role of the Peshmerga is closely tied to the political negotiations between Erbil and Baghdad and the broader dynamics of the Middle East, including relations with neighboring countries like Turkey and Iran.

In summary, the Peshmerga are a significant military and political force in the Kurdish region of Iraq, with a history of both internal division and external conflict. They remain central to the political and security landscape of both Iraqi Kurdistan and Iraq as a whole.