Masrour Barzani, Coalition Advisors discuss reform, training for Peshmerga

Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) Chancellor Masrour Barzani held “an in-depth exchange with Global Coalition Advisors to review training and assistance to Peshmerga Forces.”

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Kurdistan Region’s security chief, Masrour Barzani, met on Wednesday with advisors from the US-led coalition against the Islamic State to discuss training and support for the Peshmerga Forces.

The Kurdistan Region Security Council (KRSC) Chancellor held “an in-depth exchange with Global Coalition Advisors to review training and assistance to Peshmerga Forces,” a statement published on the KRSC website read.

The Coalition delegation included staff from the US, Britain, and Germany.

Support for reforms in the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs also led the discussions between Barzani and the Global Coalition Advisors, the KRSC statement said.

“In the meeting, they discussed mechanisms to expedite the roadmap [for Peshmerga Ministry reforms],” it explained.

“Both sides agreed on the importance of continuing the agenda in the next KRG [Kurdistan Regional Government] Cabinet.”

Chancellor Barzani regularly meets with Coalition commanders and advisors to discuss security developments in the region, as well as continued support for the Peshmerga.

In January, Barzani met with US Brigadier General Austin Renforth of the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve. In their meeting, the two reviewed improvements and further training for the Kurdish forces.

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Kurdistan 24 spoke with Renforth in December on the sidelines of a ceremony at Coalition Headquarters in Erbil International Airport where the Kurdistan Training Coordination Center (KTCC) saw a change of command.

Renforth explained that the Coalition trains the Peshmerga on “a variety of missions, mostly wide-area security missions.”

He also stressed that it is “important to have a well-trained Peshmerga Force for the security of all of this region,” emphasizing the word, “all.

The KTCC was established in 2014, as the US entered the battle against the Islamic State, mobilizing a large coalition against the terrorist organization. Since then, the KTCC has trained over 13,000 Peshmerga.

Editing by Laurie Mylroie