Brief
Kurdish forces look to new era after US troops leave Iraq
The Peshmerga merged rival factions into a single force as US troops completed their withdrawal, prompting hopes and warnings about Iraq's security future.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Iraq’s Kurdish forces are entering a new era following the United States' formal end of Operation Inherent Resolve and the completion of its troop withdrawal on Wednesday, Al Jazeera reported.
Days before the exit, the Erbil‑based Kurdish Regional Government announced the merger of the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) militias into a unified Peshmerga structure. KRG President Nechirvan Barzani said the move creates "one force, one ministry, and one command" and marks a major step toward consolidating regional institutions.
Middle‑east analyst Zeidon Alkinani told Al Jazeera that unifying the forces could stabilise Iraq by reducing intra‑Kurdish rivalries, though he warned the new structure must survive "the persistence of two geographically distinct commands." Retired Lieutenant General Jabbar al‑Yawar echoed concerns about lingering political disputes that could affect the Peshmerga’s role.
Barzani warned that the unification begins a phase that may be "even more difficult" than past struggles, as the force must operate above party loyalties.
Key facts
- The United States formally ended Operation Inherent Resolve and withdrew its forces from Iraq on Wednesday. (aljazeera.com)
- The Kurdish Regional Government merged KDP and PUK militias into a single Peshmerga force. (aljazeera.com)
- KRG President Nechirvan Barzani called the merger a step toward one force, ministry, and command. (aljazeera.com)
- Analyst Zeidon Alkinani said the unification could strengthen Iraq’s stability. (aljazeera.com)
- Retired Lt. Gen. Jabbar al‑Yawar warned political disputes could still affect the Peshmerga. (aljazeera.com)
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “Iraq’s Kurdish forces look to a new era after US withdrawal”
