During the graduation ceremony at the University of Duhok on Monday, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani underlined that the ground troops that defeated ISIS were Kurdish Peshmerga forces.

“ISIS’s back was broken at the hands of the heroic Peshmerga. Despite the importance of the support provided by the coalition, the true hero and sole architect of victory over terrorism was, and remains, the Peshmerga forces,” KRG Prime Minister Barzani said at the event.

He also thanked the U.S.-led Coalition on behalf of the people of the Kurdistan Region for their support for the Kurdish Peshmerga forces. The official coalition mission in Iraq ended on September 30, and the last troops in the Kurdistan Region left on that date.

The U.S.-led Coalition included several European countries and provided support, training, and weapons during the war against ISIS between 2014 and 2026.

Last year, KRG Coordinator for International Advocacy Dindar Zebari stated that 1,814 Peshmerga were killed during the war to defeat ISIS, with 10,725 wounded and 44 still missing.

KRG Prime Minister Barzani said that the Peshmerga will help the Kurdistan Region fend off any threats after the Coalition withdrawal.

“Let those who are watching and the enemies beware of the consequences of thinking that Kurdistan will be an easy target after the coalition’s departure. It is protected by the strength of its sons and will remain an oasis of security and stability, with the help of God Almighty,” he concluded.

On X, KRG Prime Minister Barzani also congratulated the Duhok University graduates.

“I wish you even greater success in the years ahead,” he posted. “I hope you use the knowledge you have gained to advance yourselves, your families, and your homeland.”