A senior Peshmerga Ministry official has announced that by 2026, all Peshmerga forces will be unified under a single command, consolidating them under the Peshmerga Ministry and the overall armed forces command. This significant step aims to strengthen the coordination and effectiveness of the Kurdish military forces.

Maj. Gen. Hoshmand Rashid, the deputy chief of staff of the Peshmerga forces, informed Kurdistan 24 that the reunification process has been ongoing for some time and is progressing well. He highlighted that reform laws within the Peshmerga Ministry would be reorganized by 2026, ensuring that forces not currently under the Ministry’s control are brought into its framework. Once the restructuring is complete, all subsequent orders will be issued directly from the presidency and the Ministry.

Rashid emphasized the critical importance of unifying the Peshmerga forces to prevent the recurrence of past incidents, such as those that occurred on October 16. The aim is to establish a single command structure that will facilitate more effective coordination and deployment of forces across the Kurdistan Region.

In light of recent developments in the Garmian region, Rashid noted that the Peshmerga Ministry took swift action to manage rising tensions with various Iraqi parties, following the advance of pro-Iranian Hashd al-Shaabi militias. A committee was formed to address the situation, and the Fifth Brigade played a crucial role in preventing these militias from taking control of strategic areas.

Rashid clarified that while there are no Islamic State forces present in the Kulajo district, there were concerns about illegal forces attempting to challenge the Peshmerga’s capabilities. He warned that such military movements should be viewed as potential future threats and assured that the Peshmerga Ministry is actively addressing security gaps highlighted by the Kulajo incident.

On August 25, a senior military source revealed that PUK forces had vacated positions in Garmian, allowing Hashd al-Shaabi to take control of several oil wells and a significant portion of the area. Although the militias initially fortified their positions near the oil wells, Peshmerga forces contested and successfully reversed their control over the region.