Peshmerga, US-led coalition discuss IS activities in Iraq, return of IDPs

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Commanders from the Kurdish Peshmerga Ministry and the US-led coalition met in Erbil on Monday to discuss continued Islamic State (IS) activities in Iraq and the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their now-liberated hometowns.

Senior Kurdish military officials and coalition commanders hold meetings periodically, with this one attended by Minister of Interior and acting Minister of Peshmerga Karim Sinjari, Deputy Minister of Peshmerga Sarbast Lazgin, Peshmerga Secretary-General Jabar Yawar, Peshmerga Chief of Staff Jamal Mohammed, and Commander of Kurdistan Training Coordination Center (KTCC) Antonio Fantastico.

The coalition and various departments of the Peshmerga Ministry shared their reports on current events and issues, highlighting continued IS activities that have recently taken the lives of dozens of civilians around the country, according to ministry’s press office.

“These events have caused instability and act as an obstacle in revitalizing those regions previously affected by them [IS militants],” the statement read.

The officials present also discussed cooperation between Peshmerga and Iraqi forces and the necessity for ever-increasing coordination to achieve the goal of eradicating the jihadist group.

The crucial importance of helping some 1.5 million IDPs and refugees in the Kurdistan Region return to their areas of origin, stabilizing those regions, and other topics were also highlighted in the meeting, according to the statement.

Peshmerga have proven to be one of the most effective ground forces in defeating IS over the past few years, resulting in the death of about 2,000 fighters and over 10,000 more wounded.

Kurdish commanders have repeatedly warned about the jihadist organization’s increasing activities and regrouping in Iraq, namely in the disputed territories ranging across the provinces of Diyala, Kirkuk, Salahuddin, and Nineveh. 

Editing by John J. Catherine