Italian military to train Kurdistan’s military police

A total of 65 Kurdish military police officers from the Zeravani were selected to undergo a 6-week training event conducted and supervised by the Italian military. The goal of the training was to fine-tune the Zeravani’s capabilities in matters such as close protection, protest containment, and force protection operations. The Zervanai Command’s Brigadier General Dedawan Khurshid, […]

Peshmerga reform is a necessary and imminent change that Iraqi-Kurdistan must embrace

The Kurdistan Regional Government is working with the Ministry of Peshmerga and United States-led coalition to officially reform the Peshmerga into a unified fighting force, despite political differences. Acting Minister Karim Sinjari confirmed this to local media this week, saying that the 70th and 80th forces will eventually be joined with the Ministry of Peshmerga, forming […]

Kurdish Peshmerga are added to next year’s National Defense Authorization Act

The Kurdish Peshmerga military forces have been added to the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Peshmerga had been left out of an earlier draft, and this had drawn concern from various parties, citing Iraq’s withholding of Kurdish shares in the past. On several occasions, the Iraqi government has withheld U.S. aid from Kurdistan’s military […]

Kurdish Peshmerga and Iraqi Army destroy the Islamic State in Makhmour operation

Islamic State occupied territory near Makhmour, a region that shares a border with Iraq and Kurdistan, was cleared out earlier this week by Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and Kurdish Peshmerga working unilaterally with coalition air support. Operation Inherent Resolve coalition spokesperson Colonel Sean Ryan expressed great delight at the achievement, given the circumstances. The cooperation between the […]

The United States is still working to modernize the Kurdish Peshmerga

According to the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) Ministry of Peshmerga, the United States will be assisting in the inclusion of two new Peshmerga brigades this year; they will be providing weapons, training, and vehicles. The Ministry’s secretary general, Lieutenant General Jabar Yawar, told local Kurdish media that, “Many times, due to disclosing the type and amount […]

Kirkuk governor claims that the K-1 airfield will be open to commercial flights

The city of Kirkuk’s acting governor, Rakan Saed al-Jabouri, claimed this week that his governing administration received approval from the central Iraqi government to allow international and domestic flights to utilize Kirkuk’s military airport. The airport is allegedly scheduled to be open to commercial flights starting next week. Governor Jabouri stated that, “The reopening of Kirkuk International […]

Peshmerga deny Iraqi Army forces entry into Kurdistan

The Peshmerga stationed just outside Kirkuk have been chomping at the bit to get back into the city and contribute to security efforts there. However, they have been rebuffed numerous times by the Iraqi government. Now the Iraqi Army is requesting to enter Kurdistan in an effort to hunt down Islamic State militants. Deputy commander […]

KRG Prime Minister discusses Kurdistan’s future with Senator Lindsey Graham

This week, Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani met with United States Senator Lindsey Graham to discuss the many issues Kurdistan is currently facing. The two spoke in Erbil primarily about the continued efforts by the Peshmerga to subdue the Islamic State and the nearly 2 billion internally displaced people that have been affected […]

Peshmerga take out ISIS financial head near Makhmour

A high ranking Islamic State member, Abu Obaida, was killed on Saturday by Peshmerga commandos. Abu Obaida oversaw logistics and financing for all ISIS operations. The raid took place at night in the city of Makhmour, it was coordinated operation with United States led coalition forces via air support and Special Operations advisers. Furthermore, several […]

Islamic State captures village in Kurdistan

Monday evening Islamic State fighters assaulted Kakai village located in the Daquq region, one resident was killed during the raid. A local resident, Sardar Hama, who escaped told press that, Late last night, nearly 40 to 50 ISIS militants seized control of a Kakai village, Ali Saray, killed one person and injured two others. The […]

Iran asks Kurdistan to handle Kurdish opposition parties who are attacking its border

With the recent clashing between the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KDPI) Peshmerga forces and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, the Kurdistan Regional Government finds itself reassuring their northern Iranian neighbor. Tehran has expressed concern over cross border activities and militaristic action by Kurdish opposition groups, specifically the KDPI who maintain the strongest presence politically and […]

Thousands of Peshmerga gather in Kurdistan to protest bill that annuls their parliament votes

Yesterday members of the police, Peshmerga, and various security forces took to the streets of Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan in protest. Their votes were annulled for the recent Iraqi parliamentary election. Minister of Parliament and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) Arez Abdulla attended the protest saying the “collective punishment” was an unjust action on the government’s part. He said […]