US-led coalition arms Peshmerga directly

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (K24) – Peshmerga have proved the most capable force on the ground against the Islamic State since last June, despite the continued refusal of Baghdad for comprehensively arming them. The ongoing Kurdish victories, often backed by US-led coalition airstrikes has now convinced many in the West to directly arm the Peshmerga.

US-led coalition airstrikes have played a significant role alongside Kurdish Peshmerga forces in repelling IS militants since last year. Peshmerga have gained the reputation as the most effective force on the ground against the IS jihadists. The Kurds' effectiveness and reliability decreases the necessity for foreign boots on the ground. According to Wasta Rasul, a Peshmerga commander in Kirkuk, the West is now convinced to work with Kurds directly without intervention from Baghdad.

Kemal Kirkuki, a Peshmerga commander stationed west of Kirkuk  told K24 “our coordination with airstrikes is on a satisfactory level” continuing, “After airstrikes receive requests from our intelligence team they react very quickly to attack IS positions.”

Wasta Rasul told K24, “Soon two brigades of Peshmerga will start training under the US-led coalition.” The commander stated, “These forces will receive weapons from the US-led coalition, especially from the United States.”

Wasta Rasul stated the importance of direct cooperation between Western allies and Peshmerga, “These brigades will train as a whole unit. With no doubts, this is a new turnaround in Peshmerga training.”

Recently, some media published a report claiming that the KRG decided against the formation of these Peshmerga forces because of a financial crisis. However, Halgurd Hikmat, the spokesman for the Ministry of Peshmerga reported to K24, "Brigades 1 and 2 will receive all their arms and military equipment from the US directly. As the Ministry of Peshmerga, we have no plans to suspend this program, and it will take place."