President Barzani, coalition commander discuss ISIS threats

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani met with Kevin Leahy, commander of the US-led global coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS), on Wednesday to discuss cooperation in the fight against the extremist group.

During the meeting, “the latest developments in the security situation in Iraq and Syria, and the threats posed by the terrorist organization ISIS to security and stability, were discussed,” read a statement from the Kurdistan Region Presidency.

“Both sides emphasized the importance of continued joint cooperation between the Kurdistan Region and the global coalition, along with cooperation with the Iraqi Federal Government in confronting terrorism and strengthening the capabilities of security forces,” the statement added.

Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi army launched a joint operation in the Qarachogh mountain area of Makhmour district in Nineveh province on May 12, following signs of ISIS movement detected by thermal cameras, but found no militants during the search.

The Iraqi and Kurdish officials have not reported a significant increase in ISIS activity but the group has seemingly exploited the recent unrest in Syria, following the ouster of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad on December 8.

The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) has been warning for months about a resurgence in ISIS activity targeting both their forces and civilians, particularly in oil-rich areas like Deir ez-Zor, which remains partially under their control.

SDF is the de facto army in northeast Syria (Rojava) and it has been the global coalition’s main partner on the ground in the fight against ISIS.

Though ISIS was territorially defeated in Iraq and Syria by 2019, the group has increasingly attempted to regroup and reassert its influence. In response, the SDF has intensified efforts to prevent the group’s militants from regaining a foothold in the region’s volatile security environment. The SDF has also reported several ISIS attacks in Deir ez-Zor, including deadly ones.

President Barzani and the coalition commander also discussed the ongoing reforms in the Peshmerga forces. The process is carried out under the auspices of the global coalition.

In late December, the Peshmerga ministry announced plans to establish two operations command centers comprising 11 military divisions as part of ongoing efforts to reform and unify the Kurdistan Region’s forces.

Peshmerga Minister Shoresh Ismail said on April 28 that his ministry “has made big achievements regarding the reform process.”

The US has provided the Peshmerga with multiple rounds of military aid over the years.

Despite efforts by Washington and several European countries, the Peshmerga remains a highly partisan force in organization and loyalty, split between the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and its rival Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).

Unit 70 forces are affiliated with the PUK and Unit 80 forces are controlled by the KDP. These two units make up the majority of the Peshmerga forces, amounting to over 100,000 troops.

Unification of the Peshmerga forces has been on the agenda of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for several years, and while some progress has been made and a number of brigades controlled by the PUK and the KDP have been added to the ministry, much work remains.

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