Zeravani Commander: Peshmerga Ready to Face Any Challenge
Zeravani Peshmerga commander Aziz Waisi says the Kurdistan Region's Peshmerga are united, better trained and armed than in 2014, and ready for any challenge.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) - Aziz Waisi, Commander of the Zeravani Peshmerga Command, said Wednesday that the Peshmerga forces are united and ready to repel any challenge. He added that a stronger Peshmerga protects the stability of the Kurdistan Region, and that the forces are at a far higher level in training and weaponry than they were in 2014.
Speaking on Sept. 30 during Kurdistan24's 7 p.m. news bulletin, Waisi thanked the coalition forces for their support. "We thank the coalition forces for continuously assisting and supporting the Peshmerga forces over the past period," he said.
He also said: "Some of Iraq's armed groups have still not come under the authority of the Iraqi government."
On the readiness and internal condition of the forces, Waisi said the Peshmerga have received more advanced training than before. A great deal of effort has gone into reorganizing the forces and making them more cohesive in recent years, he said.
He pointed to the unification of the forces under the Ministry of Peshmerga. "In the latest developments, the forces were unified under the umbrella of the Ministry of Peshmerga, in which the Kurdistan Regional Government played a major role in unifying, strengthening, training, and fortifying the Peshmerga forces," he explained.
Asked to compare the Peshmerga's current capability with 2014, Waisi said: "There is a great difference between now and 2014. In terms of arming, training, and instruction, the Peshmerga are continuously advancing, and military technology has also developed very rapidly."
The Zeravani commander stressed that "for the Peshmerga, the flag and the land are more precious than life." He said the Peshmerga now need cooperation and support more than ever, because protecting the stability of the Kurdistan Region is tied to the strength of the Peshmerga forces.
He also said: "Some of Iraq's greedy merchants see their own private interests in war and in creating turmoil."
Waisi closed with a message about the forces' resolve. "Above all of this, the Peshmerga have a will of steel and are deeply rooted," he affirmed. "The Peshmerga are now united and ready to confront all challenges."