پەرلەمانی کوردستان
September 21, 2026
President Nechirvan Barzani, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, the Vice Presidents of the Kurdistan Region, Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Al-Shammari, Director of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, and the Minister of Peshmerga Affairs attended a ceremony at the Presidency of the Kurdistan Region to announce the unification of the Peshmerga forces. A number of Peshmerga commanders and representatives of foreign countries in the Kurdistan Region were also present.
During the ceremony, President Nechirvan Barzani delivered a speech, the full text of which follows:
Distinguished guests,
Peshmerga heroes,
Good morning,
I extend a special welcome to Staff First Lieutenant General Abdul-Amir al-Shammari, Director of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, whos is present here with us today. His presence here reaffirms the importance of cooperation between the Iraqi Army and the Peshmerga as part of Iraq’s defense system.
I am very pleased that we are gathered at this ceremony today to announce the final step in the unification of the Peshmerga forces and the inauguration of the First and Second Area Commands. With this important step, no force will remain outside the structure of the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs.
This event coincides with the fourth anniversary of the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs and the United States Department of Defense, which was signed four years ago on this very day, September 21st 2022, here at the Presidency of the Kurdistan Region. We thank them for their continued support and cooperation in this process, and for their assistance to the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, particularly in the war against ISIS.
These sustained efforts date back to 2016, when His Excellency President Masoud Barzani initiated the reform process in the Ministry of Peshmerga.
That was at a time when the Peshmerga, under His Excellency the President’s command, defeated the myth of ISIS; just as earlier, in 2014, on his orders, the Peshmerga had gone to Kobani to defend it and recorded a proud chapter in the history of the people of Kurdistan. This is therefore a moment the people of Kurdistan have long awaited and one we have worked towards for many years.
This is not merely a change in structure and organization, or simply the transfer of units from one formation to another. It is a major national step in the journey of building the institutions of the Kurdistan Region.
Over the past years, we have repeatedly said: Kurdistan needs one force, one ministry, and one command. We have said: the Peshmerga must be a national force, free from party interference and disputes. Today, we take a major step towards achieving this goal.
Distinguished guests,
When Kurdistan faced danger, there was no distinction between one Peshmerga soldier and another, or between one region and another. In the most difficult times, the Peshmerga have stood in the same trench, made sacrifices together, and shed blood together in defense of one land and one people. What united the Peshmerga on the battlefields must also unite them in their institution, command, and decision-making.
The Peshmerga have a dignified history. Today, therefore, we bring this history and all these sacrifices together within one national institution. Drawing on this history, shaped by generations of Peshmerga, we are building a united force to protect Kurdistan’s future. The best way to honor our martyrs is to make their sacrifices the foundation of our unity.
Distinguished guests,
The unification of the Peshmerga forces is not the end of this process, but the beginning of a new phase that may be even more difficult. From today onwards, this unity must be reflected in everything: in command and leadership, in decisions and orders, in training and organization, in rights and duties, in promotions, and in military doctrine and discipline.
It must be clear to everyone that the military institution must not become a ground for political conflict. Political parties compete in elections and differ in their agendas, visions, and positions. This is normal in any democratic system. But the Peshmerga must remain above party competition, because they are not the force of a political party; they are the force of Kurdistan.
Therefore, the greatest service we can offer to the Peshmerga today is to respect their institution, so that it can fulfill its professional and national duties without political or party interference.
The true success of unification is not measured by how many units are brought under the ministry’s authority. It is measured by whether every Peshmerga soldier sees the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs as the institution they serve, takes their lead from their military command, and regards their fellow soldier in the same unit as a brother-in-arms, regardless of that soldier’s party affiliation or region of origin.
This is the Peshmerga force that the people of Kurdistan want: a professional, organized, modern, well-trained, and well-armed force, loyal to the law and institutions, trusted by its people and respected by its friends.
Peshmerga heroes,
You are the force of all of Kurdistan and all its communities. Your duty is to protect the security, dignity, and lives of all citizens who live on this land, without distinction. Kurds, Turkmen, Christians, Yezidis, Arabs, and all the communities of Kurdistan must see in the Peshmerga uniform a force that protects everyone.
At the same time, the unified Peshmerga force is part of federal Iraq’s defense system. Strengthening its capabilities and reinforcing coordination between the Peshmerga and the Iraqi military serve the security of the Kurdistan Region and all of Iraq, and increase our joint ability to confront terrorism and safeguard security and stability of all of Iraq.
From here, therefore, we once again call on the federal government of Iraq to deal with the Peshmerga in accordance with the constitution and the law, to fulfill its duties and obligations towards the Peshmerga, and to guarantee all their rights and entitlements.
On this occasion, we also reiterate our thanks and appreciation to our friends: the United States, the Global Coalition, and all our partner countries that stood with us in the war against ISIS and subsequently assisted us in the training, reform, reorganization, and unification of the Peshmerga forces, working hard alongside us.
Our thanks and appreciation go to Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy and France. Our friends have contributed a great deal, and we greatly value their support and assistance.
But the success of this process depends, above all, on our own will. What we have achieved today is therefore the product of cooperation, determination, and a sense of national responsibility towards Kurdistan. I therefore thank the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan for their political commitment and determination in the success of this process.
I express my appreciation for the efforts and continuous support of my esteemed brother, Mr. Masrour Barzani, Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, who has exerted every effort over the past years to ensure that this process moves forward in an orderly manner and the Peshmarga forces achieve unification.
I also thank my esteemed brother’s efforts, Mr. Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister, I thank our teams at the Presidency of the Kurdistan Region and in the Government; the Vice President, Sheikh Jaafar Sheikh Mustafa; and the Vice President, Mr. Mustafa Said Qadir, for his work during his tenure as Minister of Peshmerga Affairs.
I appreciate the distinguished Minister and the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs, the commanders, officers, committees, and teams who have worked with dedication and loyalty throughout these years, together with all those who contributed to reaching this stage.
Peshmerga heroes,
Today, your greatest responsibility begins. When you put on the Peshmerga uniform, you are the Peshmerga of Kurdistan. Safeguard this unity. Do not let political disagreements come between you. Do not allow any affiliation to become stronger than your bond with your comrades, your institution, and your duty. The people of Kurdistan have paid a heavy price for their freedom, security, and dignity, and the Peshmerga have always been at the forefront of these sacrifices.
On this occasion, we also remember, with respect and honor, all those heroic Peshmerga who gave their lives for freedom and in defense of Kurdistan. We send our greetings and respect to their proud and steadfast families and relatives.
We salute the Peshmerga heroes wounded on the front lines asthey defended and protected Kurdistan. We have the utmost respect, and we honor their sacrifices.
We salute all the heroic Peshmerga of Kurdistan and their commanders.
We pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for Kurdistan.
Thank you all very much.
I wish to express my gratitude to my esteemed brother, Mr. Masrour Barzani, for the kind gesture of extending his warm birthday wishes to me. Thank you very much.
