Kurdistan Region unifies Peshmerga forces amid US troop withdrawal

The Kurdistan Regional Government has announced the completion of a long-delayed unification and reorganization of its Peshmerga paramilitary forces. This reorganization brings together forces previously split between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) under the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs.

The unification follows years of reform efforts supported by the United States and its allies. During the international coalition's campaign against the Islamic State, the U.S. provided the Peshmerga with financial assistance, weapons, ammunition, and training to help professionalize the force.

The announcement comes as the United States completes its planned withdrawal of forces from Iraq, a move finalized on September 30, 2026, following a 2024 agreement with the Iraqi government. While the U.S. State Department noted that the withdrawal reflects the increased capabilities of Iraqi and Kurdish security forces, some regional officials have expressed concerns regarding potential threats from Iran-backed armed groups in the absence of a direct U.S. military presence.