UK, US differ in their acknowledgment of IS defeat in Iraq

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Statements by major coalition partners, the UK and the US, were at odds as Washington failed to acknowledge the Kurdish Peshmerga Forces in their congratulations to Iraq for announcing the Islamic State’s (IS) defeat in the country.

As Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the end of the fight against IS on Saturday, he refused to acknowledge the Peshmerga Forces in his speech. The omission created a backlash in the Kurdistan Region with the Ministry of Peshmerga issuing a statement condemning the recognition of individual branches of the Iraqi security apparatus but not of the allied Kurdish Forces.

The US State Department followed suit, applauding the “leadership of Prime Minister Abadi,” and offering their “sincere congratulations to the Iraqi people and to the brave Iraqi Security Forces.” While the US’ statement recognized the sacrifices of many of those who “lost their lives heroically fighting [IS],” there was no mention of the Peshmerga.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May, however, on behalf of the UK, mentioned the Kurdish Forces in her congratulatory statement.

“The UK, as a Coalition member, has played a leading role in supporting the Iraqi Security Forces, including the Armed Forces and the Peshmerga, in the fight against Daesh,” using the pejorative Arabic acronym for IS.

The Peshmerga were hailed as one of the most effective ground troops in defeating the extremist group by coalition partners since 2014.

Since the Kurdistan Region’s referendum on independence and Washington’s silence over the Oct. 16 attacks and takeover of disputed territories by Iraqi forces and Iranian-backed militias, however, the people of the Kurdistan Region have grown increasingly critical of the US’ “friendship” to Erbil.  

Prior to the vote, which saw nearly 93 percent of people voting in favor of secession, both the US and Baghdad acknowledged and expressed their respect for the Peshmerga Forces’ contributions in the fight against IS.

The Chief of Staff of the Peshmerga Forces with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), Jamal Eminki, told Kurdistan 24 that before the Iraqi army and Iranian-backed Hashd al-Shaabi's attack on the Kurdistan Region, Baghdad was grateful for the Kurdish forces' contributions.

The Peshmerga official emphasized that Baghdad's inability to acknowledge the Kurdish Forces now is rooted in their hatred for the Kurds.

According to the KRG’s Ministry of Peshmerga, more than 1,800 Peshmerga fighters were martyred in the fight against IS, and more than 10,000 others were wounded.