Peshmerga Ministry denies receiving financial support from Baghdad

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Ministry of Peshmerga on Sunday denied receiving any financial support from the federal government of Iraq.

Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Secretary-General of Peshmerga Ministry Jabar Yawar stated on his official Facebook page that the Deputy Finance Minister of Iraq Fazil Nabil had told some media Baghdad sent IQD 10 billion (US $8.4 million) of financial support to the Peshmerga Ministry.

“We clarify for everyone that we haven’t received any money, including the IQD 10 billion from the Iraqi Finance Ministry or Defense Ministry,” Yawar stated.

The Secretary-General also mentioned he had personally talked to Rabar Sadiq, the Deputy Finance Minister of the KRG, about the case.

Sadiq also emphasized they had not received any amount of money or documents, according to Yawar.

The Kurdistan Region shares a long border with the Islamic State (IS) in the south.

Moreover, Peshmerga forces have been one of the most efficient forces in defeating the extremist group in northern Iraq.

Peshmerga and Iraqi security forces already launched a joint military operation to retake Mosul, the second-largest city in Iraq, under the control of IS since June 2014.

Additionally, Kurdish officials have repeatedly complained to the federal government of Baghdad for failing to provide any financial and military support to the Kurdistan Region in the battle against the insurgents.

Peshmerga commanders have also mentioned the proportion of military aid they receive from the US-led coalition to battle IS is insufficient for a war against the biggest terrorist organization in the world.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany