Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs
| وەزارەتی کاروباری پێشمەرگە Wezaretî Pêşmerige | |
Emblem of the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs | |
| Ministry overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 18 December 1991[1] |
| Jurisdiction | Kurdistan Region |
| Headquarters | Erbil, Kurdistan Region |
| Motto | "Biji Kurdistan" (non-official) |
| Employees | 9000 |
| Ministry executives |
|
| Child Ministry | |
| Website | Official website |
The Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs (MoPA) (Kurdish: وەزارەتی پێشمەرگە) is a ministry of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) responsible for the organization and command of the Peshmerga, the armed forces of the Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq. It oversees defense policy, coordination with international partners, and the protection of citizens' security and freedoms.[3]
History
The Peshmerga have their roots in Kurdish armed movements of the 20th century, gradually evolving from partisan militias into a regional military force. Following the establishment of the Kurdistan Region in the 1990s, efforts were made to centralize the command structure, leading to the eventual formation of the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs as part of the KRG institutions.[4]
Structure
The ministry commands several so-called Regional Guard Brigades (RGBs) and administrative units, though parts of the Peshmerga remain aligned with the region’s main political parties (KDP and PUK). It plays a central role in unifying and professionalizing the force within the wider framework of Kurdistan’s security institutions.[5]
With 28 unified RGBs, the Ministry commands 74,400 Peshmerga soldiers, of whom 34,900 are based in the Erbil Governorate, 23,800 in the Duhok Governorate, and 15,700 in the Sulaymaniyah Governorate.[6]
The 1st Support Forces and the 2nd Support Forces, who have been integrated into the MoPA in 2021 and 2022, provide the ministry's RGBs with critical support functions.[7][8]
Reform efforts
Since the war against the Islamic State (ISIS), reform has been a priority for the ministry. In January 2024, the ministry discussed steps toward restructuring and modernizing the Peshmerga with representatives of the United States and other members of the US-led coalition.[9] In December 2023, the inaugural meeting of the Peshmerga Executive Steering Committee, a joint initiative with the coalition, was held to coordinate reform and integration measures.[10]
Leadership
The ministry is headed by the Minister of Peshmerga Affairs, appointed by the KRG cabinet. Since 2019, the position has been held by Shoresh Ismail Abdulla, a veteran Peshmerga commander and member of the KRG’s ninth cabinet.[11]
See also
References
- ^ Rizgar, Mihemmed (6 July 2021). "پێشمەرگە". zaniary.com (in Kurdish). Zaniary. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
- ^ "Iraq and Peshmerga forces to increase media coordination against ISIS". Kurdistan24. 18 January 2022. Retrieved 2025-09-15.
- ^ "Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs". Kurdistan Regional Government. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ "The evolution of the Peshmerga". Clingendael Institute. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ "ساختار و ترکیب نیروهای امنیتی-نظامی اقلیم کردستان عراق" (in Persian). Kurdpress. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ "More than 74,000 of the unified Peshmerga brigades paid U.S.-funded allowances digitally". Kurdistan Regional Government. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 2025-09-15.
- ^ Wilgenburg, Wladimir van (6 August 2024). "U.S. Provides Artillery Weapons to Peshmerga Forces". Kurdistan Chronicle. Retrieved 2025-09-15.
- ^ "Peshmerga carried out 7,516 operations against ISIS: Inspector General Report". Kurdistan24. 2022-05-04. Retrieved 2025-09-14.
- ^ "Ministry of Peshmerga discusses Peshmerga reform with US-led coalition". Kurdistan24. 24 January 2024. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ "Joint Statement on the Inaugural Peshmerga Executive Steering Committee Meeting". U.S. Department of Defense. 15 December 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ "Shoresh Ismail Abdulla". Kurdistan Regional Government. Retrieved 17 August 2025.