Peshmerga First Support Forces Holds Graduation Ceremony
“The Support Forces Command will continue enhancing its military expertise as a professional unit through practical training under the guidance of the Ministry of Peshmerga and US-led coalition forces,” Sihad Barzani
Jan. 30, 2025
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga First Support Forces Infantry Unit held its seventh training course graduation ceremony on Thursday at the Kani-Qirzhala military base.
“It is a matter of pride that 300 brave and loyal soldiers successfully completed this course today,” said Lt. Gen. Sihad Barzani, Commander of the First Support Forces, in his speech at the ceremony.
The seventh infantry course began on Sept. 28, 2024, and was carefully designed to meet the highest international military standards. “Over the past few months, these Peshmergas have undergone intensive training in discipline, gender military integration, and essential infantry skills for the modern battlefield. Today, they are fully prepared to serve and protect Kurdistan,” Barzani stated.
He emphasized that the Support Forces Command will continue enhancing its military expertise as a professional unit through practical training under the guidance of the Ministry of Peshmerga and US-led coalition forces.
Barzani also called on coalition forces to provide military and logistical support to the Support Forces, stressing that "our enemies in the region are common."
In a related development, Deputy Minister of Peshmerga Abdulkhaliq Babiri announced at a press conference on Thursday that the unification process of Peshmerga forces is progressing rapidly.
"According to the coalition forces plan, the Peshmerga forces should be reunited by 2026, and we expect the process to be completed even sooner than that date," he said.
Regarding the Zerevani forces, Babiri revealed: "There is no decision yet to put the Zerevani forces under the Peshmerga Ministry, because their mission is different and they belong to the Interior Ministry, not Peshmerga Ministry."
"The coalition assistance is continuing and we have not received any notification about suspending it," Babiri said.