Peshmerga Minister calls for reorganization to form strong national force, US Consulate pledges support
The meeting, which took place between Minister Ismail, Colonel Rice, and Major Tom Stauffer, Assistant US Military Attaché in Iraq, highlighted the current security dynamics in Kurdistan, Iraq, and the broader region.
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The Minister of Peshmerga Affairs, Shorsh Ismail, emphasized the urgent need to reorganize the Peshmerga forces to establish a formidable national force during a high-level meeting with U.S. officials.
The head of the Security Coordination and Cooperation Office at the US Consulate, Lieutenant Colonel Gavin Rice, affirmed his country's support for this crucial initiative.
The meeting, which took place between Minister Ismail, Colonel Rice, and Major Tom Stauffer, Assistant US Military Attaché in Iraq, highlighted the current security dynamics in Kurdistan, Iraq, and the broader region.
In a statement issued by the Peshmerga Ministry, Minister Ismail stressed the importance of building a unified accounting unit within the Ministry, with assistance from international coalition partners.
He reiterated the ministry's ongoing efforts to establish additional divisions, aiming to organize and consolidate the Peshmerga forces into a cohesive and strong national defense force.
This reiterates the message that was released earlier on Monday by the newly appointed US Consul General Steve Bitner. In a bilingual address, Bitner expressed the US commitment to build "a professional and capable force to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS. By working together, we can address persistent security threats to the US, The Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and the rest of the region."
Colonel Rice expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the reform process within the Peshmerga Ministry. He reaffirmed the United States' commitment to further cooperation, support, and coordination in strengthening the Peshmerga forces.