Although the Peshmerga forces are nominally under the authority of the ministry, control of the two largest units is divided between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Western allies are helping the Peshmerga to unite under one command and modernise, with the US-led global coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS) overseeing the process.
“There is a reform process which progresses, but very slowly,” Bakhtyar Mohammed, secretary general of the Peshmerga ministry, told Rudaw’s Nwenar Fatih on Thursday.
“The first reason is the political unrest in the Kurdistan Region, especially the tensions between KDP and PUK,” he said. Another factor stalling progress is the absence of a minister.
Peshmerga Minister Shoresh Ismail, from the PUK, was unhappy with political parties interfering in the ministry and submitted his resignation late last year. He is no longer filling the role even though his resignation has not yet been officially accepted by the Council of Ministers. The PUK appointed Rebaz Birkoti as a replacement but the Council of Ministers and the parliament have yet to approve it. The delay is reportedly associated with tensions between the governing parties.
Relations between the KDP and PUK have gone through rocky periods over the decades. Recently, tensions have been heightened over finances, transparency in the provinces under their influence, and the assassination of a former PUK colonel in the KDP-held city of Erbil in October.
Mohammed said reforms are not possible without better relations between the political parties.
Kurdistan Region’s allies are pressuring the KDP and PUK to mend fences. Acting US Consul General to the Kurdistan Region Zehra Bell said on Sunday that “as a friend and partner” to the Region, Washington “feels strongly that the Kurdish political parties put aside their differences and work together for the betterment of the people”.
Meetings between the two parties have recently resumed, with both sides expressing their desire for dialogue though the PUK is maintaining its boycott of weekly cabinet meetings as a form of protest expressing their concerns with the government.
