US congresswoman backs Peshmerga

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (K24) – A United States congresswoman stated on Friday that Peshmerga forces need to be well-equipped to defeat the Islamic State (IS) threat “that confronts us all.”

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the Representative of Florida’s 27th District, spoke in support of the Kurdish Peshmerga forces. “I rise today to recognize the important efforts made by the Kurds and the Peshmerga in the fight against ISIS,” she said.

Praising the role of the Peshmerga, she opened her speech with a quote from the US Secretary of Defense, Ash Carter, “The Kurdish Peshmerga have been exactly what we have been looking for in this whole fight in Iraq and in Syria, namely a capable and motivated force that we can enable.”

Representative Ros-Lehtinen emphasized that defeating IS extremists requires more US support for allies on the ground. She warned that IS was one of the greatest threats to the US national security and its allies, including the Kurds.

She voiced appreciation for the sacrifices of more than 1600 Peshmerga who lost their lives in the battle against IS, and thousands more who were wounded.

“We are thankful to all of the members of the Peshmerga who are fighting to eradicate the evil of ISIS, including several all-women units who are proud to fight for their people’s freedom,” she stated.

Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen lamented that the Peshmerga still don’t have proper weapons “most of which are 30-years-old.” She added that Peshmerga use captured IS tanks to roll through mine fields while the IS extremists have modern American military equipment that they seized from the Iraqi Army after overturning Mosul.

Ros-Lehtinen stressed that Peshmerga “have already proven” to be one of the most effective forces on the battlefield against IS. “The Peshmerga are continuing to fight despite not being paid for months, with uncertain logistical backup and with inadequate weapons and equipment,” she said.

“The Peshmerga need our help. And we must get them what they need in order to have them continue to be successful,” she continued.

Ros-Lehtinen described that the Peshmerga protect the Muslims, Christians, Ezidis, and “people of any religious minority” who have been suppressed. She pointed out that the burden of war and the responsibility of caring for 1.8 million refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) has pushed the Kurdistan Region’s economy “to the brink of collapse.”

The US congresswoman announced that she would soon be introducing a resolution “to honor the brave men and women of the Peshmerga and their families who are fighting the brutal evil of ISIS.”

Reporting by Ehsan Mamakani
Editing by Karzan Sulaivany and Ava Homa