Kurdistan Region unifies Peşmerga forces under Ministry oversight

Peşmerga Kurdistan Region military unification Iraq security KDP and PUK

The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has officially completed the unification of its Peşmerga forces under the oversight of the Ministry of Peşmerga. This process integrates the 70th Brigade, formerly associated with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), and the 80th Brigade, formerly associated with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), into a single institutional framework.

Peşmerga Minister Shorsh Ismail announced that the brigades will now operate as the First and Second Regions under the Ministry. The unification, which began in 2016, aims to modernize military capabilities, improve logistics, and prevent the return of ISIS. Officials noted that after September 21, no Peşmerga forces will remain outside the Ministry's command.

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi welcomed the move, stating it strengthens national security and unifies the country's defense decision-making. Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Mesrur Barzani described the event as a historic milestone achieved with the support of the Pentagon and the International Coalition.

Entities

Iraq · Kurdistan Democratic Party · Kurdistan Regional Government · Mesrur Barzani · Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs · Nergiv Barzani · Patriotic Union of Kurdistan · Peshmerga · Peşmerga Ministry · Shorsh Ismail

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] The unification process was supported by the Pentagon and the International Coalition. www.guneydoguekspres.com · artigercek.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The 70th Brigade (linked to the PUK) and the 80th Brigade (linked to the KDP) have merged under the Peşmerga Ministry. www.guneydoguekspres.com · artigercek.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi stated that unifying the Peşmerga strengthens national security and defense decision-making. alkuwaitnews.net
[○ 1 SOURCE] No Peşmerga forces will remain outside the Ministry of Peşmerga after September 21. www.sadanews.ps
[○ 1 SOURCE] The process to unify the Peşmerga forces began in 2016. www.sadanews.ps