On June 30, 2026, at the headquarters of Regional Command 1, the first joint training course on the military decision-making process for Peshmerga Regional Commands 1 and 2 officially began, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs (MoPA) said on Tuesday. 

Dr. Najat Ali, Commander of Regional Command 1, said in his speech that the current regional security environment makes the unification of the Peshmerga forces an urgent necessity. He stressed that the primary task at this stage is to fully professionalize the force, equip it with the latest military technology, and instill patriotism, loyalty, and dedication to Kurdistan among its ranks.

He added that regional and international conflicts have now reached the Kurdistan Region, while the nature of threats has changed significantly. He therefore called on the international coalition to continue supporting the Kurdistan Region by reassessing these new threats and helping provide the advanced weapons needed to protect the Region’s constitutional status and institutions. He said the recent drone and missile attacks on the Kurdistan Region demonstrate that, in addition to ISIS, new security threats have emerged, making stronger military assistance from allies essential.

KRG Minister of Peshmerga Affairs Shoresh Ismail Abdulla emphasized the importance of the initiative, describing the training as a historic turning point and a strategic step toward unifying and reorganizing the Peshmerga forces and building a single national army.

He said the course would strengthen the leadership capabilities of senior officers under all conditions, particularly in military decision-making, adding that the ministry continues to rely on the support of coalition partners — especially the United States — until the full unification process is completed.

The minister also stated that the Peshmerga is not merely an armed force but represents the national identity of the people of Kurdistan. Strengthening the Peshmerga, he said, directly contributes to peace and stability throughout the region. He added that the Peshmerga is now entering a new phase of institution-building and development to safeguard the Kurdistan Region’s national achievements. 

The establishment of two regional military commands and 11 infantry brigades under the MoPA, he said, marks a major step toward creating a modern, unified national army.

During the ceremony, Colonel Pongpat Piluek, Senior Advisor Northern Affairs at the Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq, welcomed participants and underlined that this “is not simply a routine military exercise; it reflects the continued implementation of the memorandum of understanding between the MoPA and the U.S. Department of Defense.

“This initiative demonstrates our shared commitment to the reform process we have begun together. Our primary goal is the successful reform and unification of the Peshmerga forces, and we hope to see the results in the very near future.”The memorandum of understanding on Peshmerga reform between the United States and the KRG set a goal for Peshmerga reform to be completed in 2026.

Peshmerga soldiers are split between political factions, with 70 units under the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and 80 units under the Kurdistan Democratic Party. The goal of the Peshmerga reform project is to unite these units as Regional Guard Brigades under the MoPA by 2026. Now both are united under the MoPA and integrated into regional commands.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the officer representing the Coalition Forces Command in the Kurdistan Region thanked “the leadership of Regional Commands 1 and 2 for organizing this joint training under the supervision and direction of the MoPA. Finally, we once again reaffirm the Coalition Forces’ unwavering commitment to continuing coordination, cooperation, and support for the MoPA throughout every stage of the reform process.”