Coalition members encourage ‘closer cooperation’ between Peshmerga, Iraqi forces

“The risk of the lack of cooperation is that ISIS, or groups aligned with that ideology, will operate in the seams.”

Kurdistan 24 2019/02/21 17:05

kurdistan ISIS Islamic State Iraq US-led Coalition Peshmerga Kurdistan

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Closer cooperation between security forces in Iraq, especially the Kurdish Peshmerga and Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) is crucial to ensure the so-called Islamic State does not re-emerge, Coalition officials emphasized on Wednesday.

Fears that the Islamic State would re-emerge in vulnerable areas have prompted local and international officials to urge that Iraqi and Kurdish troops return to their previous united front against the extremist group.

According to Maj. Gen. Dany Fortin, Commander of NATO Mission Iraq, the lack of cooperation between security forces in Iraq could empower the Islamic State.

“The risk of the lack of cooperation is that ISIS, or groups aligned with that ideology, will operate in the seams,” he told Kurdistan 24.

Fortin warned that areas previously liberated from the extremist group “are not well governed,” and encouraged “closer cooperation” between the Peshmerga and ISF to secure these regions and prevent the Islamic State from re-emerging.

The Peshmerga have been some of the most effective ground troops in the battle against the Islamic State in Iraq and were instrumental in containing and advancing against the militant group in the country’s north.

In the military operation to liberate Mosul, the self-proclaimed capital of the Islamic State in Iraq, Peshmerga forces broke the line of defense the group held and took several areas in the eastern and northern parts of the city, in coordination with Iraqi forces and the US-led coalition.

Colonel Sean Ryan, the Coalition’s spokesperson, underlined this point as he praised the “brave” Peshmerga for their efforts against the Islamic State.

“We’ve said from the beginning that the Peshmerga forces have been outstanding and they have been a great part of the Iraqi Security Forces in the efforts to beat Da’esh,” Ryan said, using the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State.

However, cooperation between the two forces abruptly ended, with Peshmerga being pushed from disputed territories by Iraqi military forces and militias in the aftermath of the Kurdistan Region’s September 2017 independence referendum.

Ryan reiterated Fortin’s call for stronger cooperation between the Kurdish forces and Iraqi troops.

The spokesperson underlined that the Islamic State’s threat in Iraq continues, highlighting the importance of “all forces that fall under the Iraqi Security Forces” to work together.

“It’s crucial for both parties to come together…because we see small pockets of ISIS and they will try to disrupt normal civilians’ lives and the government,” Ryan told Kurdistan 24.

“We’ve trained a lot of peshmerga forces,” he added. “They have proven to be brave warriors, and they contribute greatly to the defeat of Da’esh, so we hope that continues as well.”

Kurdish Peshmerga forces and members of the Iraqi army recently began joint-field surveys in areas disputed between the central and regional governments.

These latest developments showcase an increased, though often tentative, cooperation between Baghdad and Erbil and recent general strengthening of relations between them.

(Additional reporting by Bilesa Shaweys)