Council of Ministers’ department meets with Ministry of Peshmerga on reform
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The Ministry of Peshmerga, the Multi-National Military Advisory Group, and the Department of Coordination and Follow-up of the Council of Ministers met on Tuesday to discuss Peshmerga reform.
The @KRG_MOPE & the #MNAG Multi-National Military Advisory Group and the Office of coordination & follow-up of the Council of Ministers (DCF) met,
— Ministry of Peshmerga (@KRG_MOPE) February 15, 2022
To discuss the necessary practical steps to implement reform law No. 20, 2020, specific to the Peshmerga ministry. pic.twitter.com/S802QL7Rgv
The Ministry of Peshmerga (MOP) tweeted that they discussed the necessary practical steps to implement reform law No. 20, 2020, specific to the Peshmerga ministry.
The Netherlands, the US, the UK, and Germany form the unique Multi-National Advisory Group (MNAG) that enthusiastically supports the project to establish a modern, effective, affordable, and accountable Peshmerga force under the control of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
As part of those efforts, Kurdish leaders decided last year to put heavy support units of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP)’s Unit 80 and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK)’s Unit 70 under the command of the MOP. The MNAG welcomed the move.
“We as the MNAG underlined that the Council of Ministers plays an important role in taking decisions and that swift decisions are needed for Peshmerga reform,” the Dutch Military Advisor on Peshmerga Reform Col. Paul Vos told Kurdistan 24.
“We are happy with the recent decisions for retirement, the transfer of units from the 70s (PUK units) and 80s (KDP units) to the Ministry of Peshmerga and digital payments,” he said. “However, it’s also important that the Council of Ministers makes in the near future swift decisions on command and control to begin the establishment of two divisions.”
Now that there are more brigades under the MOP, it’s important to reorganize the MOP’s command and control, he added.
“Otherwise, it will be difficult for the Ministry of Peshmerga to control, maintain, and support all those units,” Vos said.
“After five years of Peshmerga Reform, it’s time to see results.”
Today the deputy minister had a great meeting with @DepDirMAGN were they discussed the unifying of 70th and 80th forces under the umbrella of @KRG_MOPE & ISIS movements in the area & the importance of the joint operations & the 2 joint brigades between the #ISF & Peshmerga. pic.twitter.com/NxiF0RE9Om
— Ministry of Peshmerga (@KRG_MOPE) February 14, 2022
On Monday, Colonel Todd Burroughs, Deputy Director of the US-led coalition’s Military Advisor Group North, also met with the Deputy Minister of Peshmerga, Serbest Lazgin, to discuss “the unifying of 70th and 80th forces under the umbrella” of the Ministry of Peshmerga.
Moreover, they discussed ISIS movements in disputed territories and the importance of the joint operations and the establishment of the two joint brigades between the Iraqi Security Forces and the Peshmerga.