Peshmerga: Difference between revisions

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The ''peshmerga'' force, like much of Iraqi Kurdistan, is plagued by frequent allegations of corruption, partisanship, nepotism, and fraud.<ref>{{cite web |first1=Joe |last1=Parkinson |first2=Dion |last2=Nissenbaum |title=U.S., Allies Training Kurds on Using Sophisticated Weaponry Against Islamic State |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-allies-training-kurds-on-using-sophisticated-weaponry-against-islamic-state-1411339625 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |subscription=yes |date=2015 |accessdate=22 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Peshmerga of Iraq |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insideiraq/2008/03/2008525185811788617.html |work=[[Aljazeera.com]] |date=1 March 2008 |accessdate=22 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=KRG and the ‘godfathers': 2006 secret US cable on Wikileaks |url=http://kurdistantribune.com/2014/krg-godfathers-2006-secret-cable-on-wikileaks/ |work=The Kurdistan Tribune |date=8 May 2014 |accessdate=22 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Jacqueline |last=Devigne |title="Iraqoncilable" Differences? The Political Nature of the Peshmerga |url=http://tiglarchives.org/sites/default/files/resources/nimep/v5/NIMEP_Insights_2011_48-64.pdf |format=PDF |work=NIMEP Insights |date=2011 |accessdate=22 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theiqdteamconnection.com/iraq-news/presidency-of-the-province-renews-its-call-to-convert-the-peshmerga-army-national|title=Presidency of the province renews its call to convert the Peshmerga Army National|work=The I.Q.D. Team Connection|accessdate=20 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2014/3/state7820.htm|title=PUK official warns Peshmerga will not take orders from anyone else: Iraqi Kurdistan|publisher=|accessdate=20 March 2015}}</ref> These allegations include giving high-ranking military positions only to fellow clansmen and/or party members, fighting for political parties rather than the Kurdish people as a whole, and the use of "ghost soldiers" to gain ''peshmerga'' benefits and salary. Much of this is due to the fact that ''peshmerga'' forces are still unofficially divided along the main party lines, although with arguably less tension than during the [[Iraqi Kurdish Civil War|Kurdish Civil War]]. ''Peshmerga'' with ties to the [[Kurdistan Democratic Party]] are responsible for the [[Dohuk Governorate]] and [[Erbil Governorate]], while those with ties to the [[Patriotic Union of Kurdistan]] oversee the security in [[Sulaymaniyah Governorate]].<ref>Chapman, Dennis. Security Forces of Kurdistan Regional Government, US Army War College. 2009, page. 3.</ref> Following the June 2014 ISIS invasion of Iraq and the retreat of the Iraqi Army, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) filled the void and took control of almost all [[Disputed territories of Northern Iraq|disputed areas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/iraq/jihadist-drive-allows-iraq-kurds-take-disputed-areas|title=Jihadist drive allows Iraq Kurds to take disputed areas|work=ReliefWeb|accessdate=20 March 2015}}</ref> These areas have since also been divided between KDP and PUK ''peshmerga''.
The ''peshmerga'' force, like much of Iraqi Kurdistan, is plagued by frequent allegations of corruption, partisanship, nepotism, and fraud.<ref>{{cite web |first1=Joe |last1=Parkinson |first2=Dion |last2=Nissenbaum |title=U.S., Allies Training Kurds on Using Sophisticated Weaponry Against Islamic State |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-allies-training-kurds-on-using-sophisticated-weaponry-against-islamic-state-1411339625 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |subscription=yes |date=2015 |accessdate=22 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Peshmerga of Iraq |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insideiraq/2008/03/2008525185811788617.html |work=[[Aljazeera.com]] |date=1 March 2008 |accessdate=22 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=KRG and the ‘godfathers': 2006 secret US cable on Wikileaks |url=http://kurdistantribune.com/2014/krg-godfathers-2006-secret-cable-on-wikileaks/ |work=The Kurdistan Tribune |date=8 May 2014 |accessdate=22 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Jacqueline |last=Devigne |title="Iraqoncilable" Differences? The Political Nature of the Peshmerga |url=http://tiglarchives.org/sites/default/files/resources/nimep/v5/NIMEP_Insights_2011_48-64.pdf |format=PDF |work=NIMEP Insights |date=2011 |accessdate=22 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theiqdteamconnection.com/iraq-news/presidency-of-the-province-renews-its-call-to-convert-the-peshmerga-army-national|title=Presidency of the province renews its call to convert the Peshmerga Army National|work=The I.Q.D. Team Connection|accessdate=20 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2014/3/state7820.htm|title=PUK official warns Peshmerga will not take orders from anyone else: Iraqi Kurdistan|publisher=|accessdate=20 March 2015}}</ref> These allegations include giving high-ranking military positions only to fellow clansmen and/or party members, fighting for political parties rather than the Kurdish people as a whole, and the use of "ghost soldiers" to gain ''peshmerga'' benefits and salary. Much of this is due to the fact that ''peshmerga'' forces are still unofficially divided along the main party lines, although with arguably less tension than during the [[Iraqi Kurdish Civil War|Kurdish Civil War]]. ''Peshmerga'' with ties to the [[Kurdistan Democratic Party]] are responsible for the [[Dohuk Governorate]] and [[Erbil Governorate]], while those with ties to the [[Patriotic Union of Kurdistan]] oversee the security in [[Sulaymaniyah Governorate]].<ref>Chapman, Dennis. Security Forces of Kurdistan Regional Government, US Army War College. 2009, page. 3.</ref> Following the June 2014 ISIS invasion of Iraq and the retreat of the Iraqi Army, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) filled the void and took control of almost all [[Disputed territories of Northern Iraq|disputed areas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://reliefweb.int/report/iraq/jihadist-drive-allows-iraq-kurds-take-disputed-areas|title=Jihadist drive allows Iraq Kurds to take disputed areas|work=ReliefWeb|accessdate=20 March 2015}}</ref> These areas have since also been divided between KDP and PUK ''peshmerga''.


As a result of the split nature of the ''peshmerga'' force, there is no central command center in charge of the entire force, and ''peshmerga'' units instead follow separate military hierarchies depending on political allegiance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lebanonwire.com/1409MLN/14091314STR.asp|title=Lebanonwire.com - Kurdish Peshmerga Forces Have Room to Grow|work=lebanonwire.com}}</ref> Efforts have since been made to minimize partisanship, including the banning of partisan flags from the battlefield.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.shafaaq.com/index.php/politics/10849-barzani-prevents-lifting-partisan-flags-in-fighting-fronts-except-for-kurdistan-flag|title=Barzani prevents lifting partisan flags in fighting fronts except for Kurdistan flag|publisher=|accessdate=20 March 2015}}</ref> A political reform is also currently underway to place the entire force under the single command of the regional government.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> As of January 2015, 14 brigades have reportedly been put under the control of the KRG, with the remaining of ''peshmerga'' forces still controlled by the regions' two main parties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://carnegie-mec.org/2015/12/16/kurdistan-s-political-armies-challenge-of-unifying-peshmerga-forces-pub-61917|title=Kurdistan’s Political Armies: The Challenge of Unifying the Peshmerga Forces|work=Carnegie Middle East Center|accessdate=16 December 2015}}</ref>
As a result of the split nature of the ''peshmerga'' force, there is no central command center in charge of the entire force, and ''peshmerga'' units instead follow separate military hierarchies depending on political allegiance.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lebanonwire.com/1409MLN/14091314STR.asp|title=Lebanonwire.com - Kurdish Peshmerga Forces Have Room to Grow|work=lebanonwire.com|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113050615/http://lebanonwire.com/1409MLN/14091314STR.asp|archivedate=2015-01-13|df=}}</ref> Efforts have since been made to minimize partisanship, including the banning of partisan flags from the battlefield.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://english.shafaaq.com/index.php/politics/10849-barzani-prevents-lifting-partisan-flags-in-fighting-fronts-except-for-kurdistan-flag|title=Barzani prevents lifting partisan flags in fighting fronts except for Kurdistan flag|publisher=|accessdate=20 March 2015|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112051404/http://english.shafaaq.com/index.php/politics/10849-barzani-prevents-lifting-partisan-flags-in-fighting-fronts-except-for-kurdistan-flag|archivedate=12 January 2015|df=}}</ref> A political reform is also currently underway to place the entire force under the single command of the regional government.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> As of January 2015, 14 brigades have reportedly been put under the control of the KRG, with the remaining of ''peshmerga'' forces still controlled by the regions' two main parties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://carnegie-mec.org/2015/12/16/kurdistan-s-political-armies-challenge-of-unifying-peshmerga-forces-pub-61917|title=Kurdistan’s Political Armies: The Challenge of Unifying the Peshmerga Forces|work=Carnegie Middle East Center|accessdate=16 December 2015}}</ref>


Due to limited funding and the vast size of the ''peshmerga'' forces, the KRG has long planned to greatly downsize its forces from large numbers of low-quality forces to a smaller but much more effective and well-trained force.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S6oP3Y9ZM3sC&pg=PA129&lpg=PA129&dq=15%27th+and+16%27th+division+peshmerga&source=bl&ots=c0IHY4AnSX&sig=UWDppeBU7nS4a3Lqe9dMc_7Aekk&hl=da&sa=X&ei=uxWzVMWRCurNygOq94CABw&ved=0CCwQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=15'th%20and%2016'th%20division%20peshmerga&f=false|title=Withdrawal from Iraq|publisher=|accessdate=20 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2011/1/state4537.htm|title=Iraqi Kurdistan Armed Forces, Peshmerga, to Lose 130,000 Soldiers|publisher=|accessdate=20 March 2015}}</ref> Consequently, in 2009, the KRG and Baghdad engaged in discussions about incorporating parts of the ''peshmerga'' forces into the Iraqi Army, in what would be the 15th and 16th [[Iraqi Army]] divisions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KgEo2q76J_0C&pg=PA309&lpg=PA309&dq=Peshmerga%09Projected+Residual+Force&source=bl&ots=MPM_oAI2pT&sig=wccwwoaiVcyLp3PkIhEi-WHmMvE&hl=da&sa=X&ei=MRKzVLrTIIjjywPA9IKQCg&ved=0CCQQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Peshmerga%09Projected%20Residual%20Force&f=false|title=Iraq and the United States|publisher=|accessdate=20 March 2015}}</ref><ref>Chapman, Dennis. Security Forces of Kurdistan Regional Government, Us Army War College. 2009, page. 112.</ref> However, after increasing tension between Erbil and Baghdad regarding the disputed areas, the transfer was largely put on hold. Some ''peshmerga'' were already transferred but reportedly deserted again, and there are allegations that former ''peshmerga'' forces remain loyal to the KRG rather than their Iraqi chain of command.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/1000-kurdish-soldiers-desert-from-iraqi-army.aspx?pageID=238&nID=48701&|title=1,000 Kurdish soldiers desert from Iraqi army - MIDEAST|publisher=|accessdate=20 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LzFaaWCuhdQC&pg=PA425&lpg=PA425&dq=peshmerga+iraqi+army+allegations&source=bl&ots=fDbx1jl-Oi&sig=rsdbbgjg7wAZJC29g9GMcViKk6o&hl=da&sa=X&ei=1RyzVLidL8n_ywO6-YHIBg&ved=0CD8Q6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=peshmerga%20iraqi%20army%20allegations&f=false|title=Iraq's Insurgency and the Road to Civil Conflict|publisher=|accessdate=20 March 2015}}</ref>
Due to limited funding and the vast size of the ''peshmerga'' forces, the KRG has long planned to greatly downsize its forces from large numbers of low-quality forces to a smaller but much more effective and well-trained force.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=S6oP3Y9ZM3sC&pg=PA129&lpg=PA129&dq=15%27th+and+16%27th+division+peshmerga&source=bl&ots=c0IHY4AnSX&sig=UWDppeBU7nS4a3Lqe9dMc_7Aekk&hl=da&sa=X&ei=uxWzVMWRCurNygOq94CABw&ved=0CCwQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=15'th%20and%2016'th%20division%20peshmerga&f=false|title=Withdrawal from Iraq|publisher=|accessdate=20 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2011/1/state4537.htm|title=Iraqi Kurdistan Armed Forces, Peshmerga, to Lose 130,000 Soldiers|publisher=|accessdate=20 March 2015}}</ref> Consequently, in 2009, the KRG and Baghdad engaged in discussions about incorporating parts of the ''peshmerga'' forces into the Iraqi Army, in what would be the 15th and 16th [[Iraqi Army]] divisions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KgEo2q76J_0C&pg=PA309&lpg=PA309&dq=Peshmerga%09Projected+Residual+Force&source=bl&ots=MPM_oAI2pT&sig=wccwwoaiVcyLp3PkIhEi-WHmMvE&hl=da&sa=X&ei=MRKzVLrTIIjjywPA9IKQCg&ved=0CCQQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=Peshmerga%09Projected%20Residual%20Force&f=false|title=Iraq and the United States|publisher=|accessdate=20 March 2015}}</ref><ref>Chapman, Dennis. Security Forces of Kurdistan Regional Government, Us Army War College. 2009, page. 112.</ref> However, after increasing tension between Erbil and Baghdad regarding the disputed areas, the transfer was largely put on hold. Some ''peshmerga'' were already transferred but reportedly deserted again, and there are allegations that former ''peshmerga'' forces remain loyal to the KRG rather than their Iraqi chain of command.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/1000-kurdish-soldiers-desert-from-iraqi-army.aspx?pageID=238&nID=48701&|title=1,000 Kurdish soldiers desert from Iraqi army - MIDEAST|publisher=|accessdate=20 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LzFaaWCuhdQC&pg=PA425&lpg=PA425&dq=peshmerga+iraqi+army+allegations&source=bl&ots=fDbx1jl-Oi&sig=rsdbbgjg7wAZJC29g9GMcViKk6o&hl=da&sa=X&ei=1RyzVLidL8n_ywO6-YHIBg&ved=0CD8Q6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=peshmerga%20iraqi%20army%20allegations&f=false|title=Iraq's Insurgency and the Road to Civil Conflict|publisher=|accessdate=20 March 2015}}</ref>
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| [[M4A1]] || {{USA}} || [[Carbine]] || 5.56×45mm ||[http://static.thanhniennews.com/Uploaded/thuthuy/2014_09_16/is_EGXX.jpg?width=840 1][https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3916/15015621790_7688289378_b.jpg 2][https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7507/15770164522_138457d44e_b.jpg 3]
| [[M4A1]] || {{USA}} || [[Carbine]] || 5.56×45mm ||[http://static.thanhniennews.com/Uploaded/thuthuy/2014_09_16/is_EGXX.jpg?width=840 1][https://c2.staticflickr.com/4/3916/15015621790_7688289378_b.jpg 2][https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7507/15770164522_138457d44e_b.jpg 3]
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| [[Heckler & Koch G36|G36]]<ref name="bmvg.de">{{cite web|url=http://www.bmvg.de/resource/resource/MzEzNTM4MmUzMzMyMmUzMTM1MzMyZTM2MzEzMDMwMzAzMDMwMzAzMDY4N2E2OTcyNmEzNjMwN2EyMDIwMjAyMDIw/2014-08-31%2520Papier_Unterst%25C3%25BCtzung_E5_final.pdf |format=PDF |title=Unterstützung der Regierung der Autonomen Region Irakisch-Kurdistan bei der Versorgung der Flüchtlinge und beim Kampf gegen den Islamischen Staat im Nordirak |website=Bmvg.de |accessdate=2016-10-19}}</ref> || {{GER}} || [[Assault rifle]] || 5.56×45mm || 12,000 supplied by Germany<ref name="ISIS-terror im Nordirak"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.einsatz.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/einsatzbw/!ut/p/c4/LYvBCoMwEET_KGtCQdqbkkN77cXaS1nNIktjIulaQfrxTcAZGJh5DDwhO-CXJxSOAT08oB_5Mmxq2By9iMMHZc8V37KS98dEshN05exIjTGQlBQKwjmnhBKTWmISX8iaUiaKHfSVtq2uT9Uh_Wvs9dwZUxt7a--wzHPzB08BwXA!/ |title=Weitere Lieferung: Material für Peschmerga |language=de|website=Einsatz.bundeswehr.de |date=2016-06-28 |accessdate=2016-10-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.einsatz.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/einsatzbw/!ut/p/c4/LYvBCoMwEET_KGtKacGbVigFT17UXspqFlkaE0nXCtKPbwLOwMDMY-AJ0Q6_PKGwd2ihg37kfNjUsBl6EbsPyh4rvmUla4-JZCdo09mQGr0jSSnkhGNOAcUHtfggNpE1hEgUG-gzXZX6es4O6V9xa-91fdGn6lE2sMxz8QfwYJpR/ |title=Erneute Materiallieferung in den Nordirak |language=de|website=Einsatz.bundeswehr.de |date= |accessdate=2016-10-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.einsatz.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/einsatzbw/!ut/p/c4/LYvBCoMwEET_KGuKtNCbQQq91kO1l7KaRZbGROJaQfrxTcAZGJh5DLwg2eOXRxQOHh200A187TfVb5bexH5B2VPFj6zk3DGR7ATPfLakhuBJcgp54ZRjRAlRzSGKy2SNMRHFFrpC10ZfyuKQ_lW3xpxLfdL13TxgnqbqD8qMYJw!/ |title=Nächste Lieferung: Gewehre und Munition für Peschmerga |language=de|website=Einsatz.bundeswehr.de |date= |accessdate=2016-11-17}}</ref>
| [[Heckler & Koch G36|G36]]<ref name="bmvg.de">{{cite web |url=http://www.bmvg.de/resource/resource/MzEzNTM4MmUzMzMyMmUzMTM1MzMyZTM2MzEzMDMwMzAzMDMwMzAzMDY4N2E2OTcyNmEzNjMwN2EyMDIwMjAyMDIw/2014-08-31%2520Papier_Unterst%25C3%25BCtzung_E5_final.pdf |format=PDF |title=Unterstützung der Regierung der Autonomen Region Irakisch-Kurdistan bei der Versorgung der Flüchtlinge und beim Kampf gegen den Islamischen Staat im Nordirak |website=Bmvg.de |accessdate=2016-10-19 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705044802/https://www.bmvg.de/resource/resource/MzEzNTM4MmUzMzMyMmUzMTM1MzMyZTM2MzEzMDMwMzAzMDMwMzAzMDY4N2E2OTcyNmEzNjMwN2EyMDIwMjAyMDIw/2014-08-31%20Papier_Unterst%C3%BCtzung_E5_final.pdf |archivedate=2017-07-05 |df= }}</ref> || {{GER}} || [[Assault rifle]] || 5.56×45mm || 12,000 supplied by Germany<ref name="ISIS-terror im Nordirak"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.einsatz.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/einsatzbw/!ut/p/c4/LYvBCoMwEET_KGtCQdqbkkN77cXaS1nNIktjIulaQfrxTcAZGJh5DDwhO-CXJxSOAT08oB_5Mmxq2By9iMMHZc8V37KS98dEshN05exIjTGQlBQKwjmnhBKTWmISX8iaUiaKHfSVtq2uT9Uh_Wvs9dwZUxt7a--wzHPzB08BwXA!/ |title=Weitere Lieferung: Material für Peschmerga |language=de|website=Einsatz.bundeswehr.de |date=2016-06-28 |accessdate=2016-10-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.einsatz.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/einsatzbw/!ut/p/c4/LYvBCoMwEET_KGtKacGbVigFT17UXspqFlkaE0nXCtKPbwLOwMDMY-AJ0Q6_PKGwd2ihg37kfNjUsBl6EbsPyh4rvmUla4-JZCdo09mQGr0jSSnkhGNOAcUHtfggNpE1hEgUG-gzXZX6es4O6V9xa-91fdGn6lE2sMxz8QfwYJpR/ |title=Erneute Materiallieferung in den Nordirak |language=de|website=Einsatz.bundeswehr.de |date= |accessdate=2016-10-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.einsatz.bundeswehr.de/portal/a/einsatzbw/!ut/p/c4/LYvBCoMwEET_KGuKtNCbQQq91kO1l7KaRZbGROJaQfrxTcAZGJh5DLwg2eOXRxQOHh200A187TfVb5bexH5B2VPFj6zk3DGR7ATPfLakhuBJcgp54ZRjRAlRzSGKy2SNMRHFFrpC10ZfyuKQ_lW3xpxLfdL13TxgnqbqD8qMYJw!/ |title=Nächste Lieferung: Gewehre und Munition für Peschmerga |language=de|website=Einsatz.bundeswehr.de |date= |accessdate=2016-11-17}}</ref>
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| [[9M14 Malyutka|AT-3 Sagger]] || {{USSR}} || [[Anti-tank missile]] || ||[http://z5.ifrm.com/30192/69/0/p1225068/image.jpg 1]
| [[9M14 Malyutka|AT-3 Sagger]] || {{USSR}} || [[Anti-tank missile]] || ||[http://z5.ifrm.com/30192/69/0/p1225068/image.jpg 1]
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| [[MILAN]]<ref name="Mehr deutsche Waffen für Kurden"/><ref name="einsatz.bundeswehr.de"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/irak-deutschland-schickt-kurden-panzerabwehrraketen-a-989117.html|title=Irak: Deutschland schickt Kurden Panzerabwehrraketen|date=31 August 2014|work=[[Spiegel Online]]|language=German|accessdate=31 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://basnews.com/en/news/2015/02/07/germany-to-send-advanced-weapons-to-peshmerga/|title = Germany to Send Advanced Weapons to Peshmerga|date = 7 February 2015|accessdate = 7 February 2015|website = BasNews.com|publisher = BasNews|last = |first = }}</ref> || {{FRA}} / {{GER}} || [[Anti-tank missile]] || 115mm || 60 Units with 1,200 missiles.
| [[MILAN]]<ref name="Mehr deutsche Waffen für Kurden"/><ref name="einsatz.bundeswehr.de"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/irak-deutschland-schickt-kurden-panzerabwehrraketen-a-989117.html|title=Irak: Deutschland schickt Kurden Panzerabwehrraketen|date=31 August 2014|work=[[Spiegel Online]]|language=German|accessdate=31 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://basnews.com/en/news/2015/02/07/germany-to-send-advanced-weapons-to-peshmerga/|title = Germany to Send Advanced Weapons to Peshmerga|date = 7 February 2015|accessdate = 7 February 2015|website = BasNews.com|publisher = BasNews|last = |first = |deadurl = yes|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20150207234630/http://basnews.com/en/news/2015/02/07/germany-to-send-advanced-weapons-to-peshmerga/|archivedate = 7 February 2015|df = }}</ref> || {{FRA}} / {{GER}} || [[Anti-tank missile]] || 115mm || 60 Units with 1,200 missiles.
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| [[BGM-71 TOW]] || {{USA}} || [[Anti-tank missile]] || 152mm ||
| [[BGM-71 TOW]] || {{USA}} || [[Anti-tank missile]] || 152mm ||
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| [[SPG-9]] || {{USSR}} || [[Recoilless Rifle]] || 73mm ||[http://z5.ifrm.com/30192/69/0/p1187897/5.jpg 1]
| [[SPG-9]] || {{USSR}} || [[Recoilless Rifle]] || 73mm ||[http://z5.ifrm.com/30192/69/0/p1187897/5.jpg 1]
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| [[Breda Folgore]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://basnews.com/en/news/2015/02/07/photo-peshmerga-receive-italian-anti-tank-weapon-at-the-front/|title=BasNews|work=Basnews|accessdate=20 March 2015}}</ref> || {{ITA}} || [[Recoilless Rifle]] || 80mm ||[http://z5.ifrm.com/30192/69/0/p1237360/image.jpg 1]
| [[Breda Folgore]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://basnews.com/en/news/2015/02/07/photo-peshmerga-receive-italian-anti-tank-weapon-at-the-front/|title=BasNews|work=Basnews|accessdate=20 March 2015|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207115435/http://basnews.com/en/news/2015/02/07/photo-peshmerga-receive-italian-anti-tank-weapon-at-the-front/|archivedate=7 February 2015|df=}}</ref> || {{ITA}} || [[Recoilless Rifle]] || 80mm ||[http://z5.ifrm.com/30192/69/0/p1237360/image.jpg 1]
|}
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| [[ZU-23-2]] || {{USSR}} || 23mm [[anti-aircraft gun]][http://z5.ifrm.com/30192/69/0/p1148233/554518_323605394452361_617610476_n.jpg 1]
|-
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| [[57 mm AZP S-60|S-60]] || {{USSR}} || 57mm anti-aircraft gun || [http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/177998_411143268960377_1104669751_o.jpg pictures]
| [[57 mm AZP S-60|S-60]] || {{USSR}} || 57mm anti-aircraft gun || [https://web.archive.org/web/20150427142051/http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/177998_411143268960377_1104669751_o.jpg pictures]
|-
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| [[37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K)]] || {{USSR}} || 37mm anti-aircraft gun ||
| [[37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K)]] || {{USSR}} || 37mm anti-aircraft gun ||

Revision as of 06:14, 20 December 2017

Peshmerga
پێشمەرگه
Pêşmerge
Peshmerga soldiers in northern Iraq, 2016.
ActiveEarly 1920s–present
AllegianceIraq
BranchArmy
Size247,000 (Peshmerga ministry data)[1][failed verification]
HeadquarterErbil
MarchEy Reqîb
Engagements
Commanders
Commander-in-ChiefMasoud Barzani
Minister of Peshmerga AffairsMustafa Qadir Mustafa Aziz
Chief of StaffLieutenant General Jabar Yawar
Notable
commanders

Peshmerga (Sorani Kurdish: پێشمەرگە, romanized: Pêşmerge, lit. 'Before death', IPA: [peːʃmɛɾˈɡɛ]) are the military forces of the federal region of Iraqi Kurdistan. The overall formal head of the Peshmerga is the President of Iraqi Kurdistan. The Peshmerga force itself is largely divided and controlled separately by the Democratic Party of Kurdistan and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, although both pledge allegiance to the Kurdistan Regional Government. Efforts are under way to gather the entire force under the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs.[4] Peshmerga forces are responsible for defending the land, people and institutions of Iraqi Kurdistan.[5]

Because the Iraqi Army is forbidden by law from entering Iraqi Kurdistan,[6][7] the peshmerga, along with other Kurdish security subsidiaries, are responsible for the security of the Kurdish Region.[8][9][10] These subsidiaries include Asayish (official intelligence agency), Parastin u Zanyarî (and Dzha Terror) (assisting intelligence agency) and the Zeravani (military police).

In 2003, during the Iraq War, peshmerga were said to have played a key role in the mission to capture Saddam Hussein.[11][12] In 2004, they captured key al Qaeda figure Hassan Ghul, who revealed the identity of Osama Bin Laden's messenger, which eventually led to Operation Neptune Spear and the death of Osama Bin Laden.[13][14]

Following a large-scale Islamic State offensive against Iraqi Kurdistan in August 2014, peshmerga and Kurdish forces from neighboring countries have been waging war against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in both Iraq and Syria.

Etymology

The word peshmerga originally comes from the Persian language (Pishmarg, Persian: پیش مرگ).[15] and it means 'to die for someone'.[16]

History

Main article: History of Peshmerga

The Kurdish warrior tradition of rebellion has existed for thousands of years along with aspirations for independence, and early Kurdish warriors fought against the various Persian empires, the Ottoman Empire and the British Empire.[17] However, the term "peshmerga" was only coined in the mid-20th century, by the Kurdish writer Ibrahim Ahmad.[18] Peshmerga means "one who confronts death" or "one who faces death". "Pesh" means to stand in front of (loosely translated as to confront or face) while "merga" means death.[19][20]

Mustafa Barzani was the primary political and military leader of the Kurdish cause until his death in 1979

Historically the Peshmerga existed only as guerilla organizations, but under the self-declared Republic of Mahabad (1946–1947), the peshmerga led by Mustafa Barzani became the official army of the republic.[21][22] After the fall of the republic and the execution of head of state Qazi Muhammad, peshmerga forces reemerged as guerilla organizations that would go on to fight the Iranian and Iraqi governments for the remainder of the century.[23]

In Iraq, most of these peshmerga were led by Mustafa Barzani of the Kurdistan Democratic Party.[22] In 1975 the peshmerga were defeated in the Second Iraqi-Kurdish War. Jalal Talabani, a leading member of the KDP, left the same year to revitalize the resistance and founded the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. This event created the baseline for the political discontent between the KDP and PUK that to this day divides peshmerga forces and much of Kurdish society in Iraqi Kurdistan.

After Mustafa Barzani's death in 1979, his son Masoud Barzani took his position.[22] As tension increased between KDP and PUK, most peshmerga fought to keep a region under their own party's control, while also fighting off Iraqi Army incursions. Following the First Persian Gulf War, Iraqi Kurdistan saw the Kurdish Civil War between the two major parties, the KDP and the PUK, and peshmerga forces were used to fight each other. The civil war officially ended in September 1998, when Barzani and Talabani signed the Washington Agreement establishing a formal peace treaty.[24] In the agreement, the parties agreed to share revenue and power, deny the use of northern Iraq to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), and not allow Iraqi troops into the Kurdish regions. By then, around 5,000 had been killed on both sides, and many more had been evicted for being on the wrong side.[25] In the years after, tension remained high, but both parties moved towards each other and in 2003 they both took part in the overthrowing of the Baathist regime as part of the Iraq War. They remained on good terms, forming a government of Iraqi Kurdistan. Unlike other militia forces, the peshmerga were never prohibited by Iraqi law.[26]

In 2015, for the first time, peshmerga soldiers received urban warfare and military intelligence training from foreign trainers, the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve.[27]

Central Iraqi Forces vs. Peshmergas

In October 2017 shortly after refrendum in Iraqi Kurdistan, the central government forces in an overnight operation removed Peshmergas from Kirkuk."[28] Peshmerga forces left Kirkuk with no serious resistance. They later announced: "Iraqi government will pay a "heavy price" for its military campaign in Kirkuk."[29]

Structure

Peshmerga special unit near the Syrian border on June 23, 2014

The number of troops affiliated with the Kurdish Peshmerga forces has exceeded 200,000 members.[1] These forces are organized into 36 military brigades, controlled separately with little to no inter-coordination, by the KDP, PUK and Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs.[30]

The peshmerga force, like much of Iraqi Kurdistan, is plagued by frequent allegations of corruption, partisanship, nepotism, and fraud.[31][32][33][34][35][36] These allegations include giving high-ranking military positions only to fellow clansmen and/or party members, fighting for political parties rather than the Kurdish people as a whole, and the use of "ghost soldiers" to gain peshmerga benefits and salary. Much of this is due to the fact that peshmerga forces are still unofficially divided along the main party lines, although with arguably less tension than during the Kurdish Civil War. Peshmerga with ties to the Kurdistan Democratic Party are responsible for the Dohuk Governorate and Erbil Governorate, while those with ties to the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan oversee the security in Sulaymaniyah Governorate.[37] Following the June 2014 ISIS invasion of Iraq and the retreat of the Iraqi Army, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) filled the void and took control of almost all disputed areas.[38] These areas have since also been divided between KDP and PUK peshmerga.

As a result of the split nature of the peshmerga force, there is no central command center in charge of the entire force, and peshmerga units instead follow separate military hierarchies depending on political allegiance.[39] Efforts have since been made to minimize partisanship, including the banning of partisan flags from the battlefield.[40] A political reform is also currently underway to place the entire force under the single command of the regional government.[4] As of January 2015, 14 brigades have reportedly been put under the control of the KRG, with the remaining of peshmerga forces still controlled by the regions' two main parties.[41]

Due to limited funding and the vast size of the peshmerga forces, the KRG has long planned to greatly downsize its forces from large numbers of low-quality forces to a smaller but much more effective and well-trained force.[42][43] Consequently, in 2009, the KRG and Baghdad engaged in discussions about incorporating parts of the peshmerga forces into the Iraqi Army, in what would be the 15th and 16th Iraqi Army divisions.[44][45] However, after increasing tension between Erbil and Baghdad regarding the disputed areas, the transfer was largely put on hold. Some peshmerga were already transferred but reportedly deserted again, and there are allegations that former peshmerga forces remain loyal to the KRG rather than their Iraqi chain of command.[46][47]

Peshmerga soldier with his M16A3

While the majority of the peshmerga forces are Muslims, there are also Assyrian Christian and Yezidi units fighting under the direction of peshmerga forces, such as the Êzîdxan Protection Force.[48][49]

Although almost entirely made up of men, peshmerga forces have been known to include small numbers of women since its formation, and currently have 600 women in their ranks.[50] In the KDP, these female peshmerga have so far been refused access to the frontline and are mostly used in logistics and management positions,[51] but female PUK peshmerga are deployed in the front lines and are actively fighting ISIS.[52][53]

Forces[54] Command Notes
14 united brigades Peshmerga ministry 42,000 fighters
Êzîdxan Protection Force Peshmerga Ministry 4,000 Yazidi fighters; led by Haydar Shesho
Jazira brigades Peshmerga Ministry 2,000 fighters of Arab origin from Rabia and Zummar
Shingal commandment Peshmerga Ministry 10,000 Yazidi fighters; led by Qasim Shesho
80 Force units Peshmerga Ministry / Kurdistan Democratic Party 58,000 fighters
Zeravani paramilitary Ministry of the Interior 51,000 fighters, including a regiment composed of 750 Christian soldiers.[55]
Rojava Peshmerga Ministry of the Interior 8,000 fighters; Syrian Kurds
Anti-terror force Kurdistan Region Security Council
KDP Asayish (security) force Kurdistan Democratic Party
70 Force units Ministry of the Interior / Patriotic Union of Kurdistan 56,000 fighters
Defense emergency force Ministry of the Interior 10,000 fighters
The Black Force Ministry of the Interior special forces
Anti-terror force Patriotic Union of Kurdistan
PUK Asayish (security) force Patriotic Union of Kurdistan

Equipment

Peshmerga on a T-55 tank outside Kirkuk in June 2014

The peshmerga arsenal is limited and confined by restrictions because the Kurdish Region is not an independent state. Due to disputes between the KRG and the Iraqi government, arms flow from Baghdad to Iraqi Kurdistan has been almost nonexistent, as Baghdad fears Kurdish aspirations for independence.[56][57] Peshmerga forces instead largely rely on old arms captured from the old Iraqi Army during the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, in which peshmerga forces were active.

Before that, some weapons were also captured during the 1991 Iraqi uprisings.[58] Following the retreat of the new Iraqi Army during the June 2014 ISIS offensive, peshmerga forces reportedly again managed to get hold of some weapons left behind by the Army.[59] Since August 2014, peshmerga forces have also captured some weapons from ISIS.[60]

After the ISIS offensive of August 2014, multiple governments decided to arm the peshmerga with some light equipment, such as light arms, night goggles and ammunition.[61][62][63][64] However, Kurdish officials and peshmerga have stressed that they are not receiving enough. They also stress that Baghdad is blocking even small arms from reaching the KRG, emphasizing the need for weapons to be sent directly to the KRG and not through Baghdad.[65][66]

Small arms

Name Country of origin Type Caliber Notes
NATO Standard
Walther P1  Germany Pistol 9×19mm 8,000 supplied by Germany[67]
Walther P99  Germany Pistol 9×19mm 1
SIG Sauer P226  Switzerland Pistol 9×19mm
Browning Hi-Power  Belgium Pistol 9×19mm
Glock  Austria Pistol 9×19mm 1
Beretta 92  Italy Pistol 9×19mm
Beretta M1951  Italy Pistol 9×19mm
HS2000  Croatia Pistol 9×19mm
Smith & Wesson M&P  United States Pistol 9×19mm
M1911 pistol  United States Pistol 11.43×23mm
Ruger P-Series  United States Pistol 9×19mm
MP5  Germany Submachine Gun 9×19mm 12
Beretta M12  Italy Submachine Gun 9×19mm
Sterling submachine gun  United Kingdom Submachine Gun 9×19mm
PM-98 Glauberyt  Poland Submachine Gun 9×19mm
M4A1  United States Carbine 5.56×45mm 123
G36[68]  Germany Assault rifle 5.56×45mm 12,000 supplied by Germany[67][69][70][71]
HS Produkt VHS[72]  Croatia Assault rifle 5.56×45mm 20,000 bought from Croatia 123
M16A4[73]  United States Assault rifle 5.56×45mm 123
AR-15  United States Assault rifle 5.56×45mm 1
Heckler & Koch G3  Germany Battle rifle 7.62×51mm 12,000 supplied by Germany[67]1
FAMAS  France Assault rifle 5.56×45mm 1
Beretta ARX160  Italy Assault rifle 5.56×45mm 1
FN FAL  Belgium Battle rifle 7.62×51mm 1
FN SCAR  Belgium Battle rifle 7.62×51mm 1
Franchi SPAS-12  Italy Combat shotgun 18.5×70mm 1
Benelli M4  Italy Combat shotgun/Semi-automatic shotgun 18.5×70mm 1
Mossberg 500  United States Shotgun 18.5×76mm 1
Winchester Model 1200  United States Pump-action shotgun 18.5×76mm
SAP6  Turkey Pump-action shotgun 18.5×76mm
FN Minimi  Belgium Light machine gun 5.56×45mm 1
M249  United States Light machine gun 5.56×45mm 123
Mk 48  Belgium /  United States Light machine gun 7.62×51mm
M60  United States General-purpose machine gun 7.62×51mm
M240  United States General-purpose machine gun 7.62×51mm 123
MG 42  Germany General-purpose machine gun 7.92×57mm
Rheinmetall MG 3[68]  Germany General-purpose machine gun 7.62×51mm 47 supplied by Germany[74]123
Beretta MG 42/59  Italy General-purpose machine gun 7.62×51mm 100 supplied by Italy[75]1
M2 Browning  United States Heavy machine gun 12.7×99mm +100 supplied by Italy, France and the United Kingdom 123
M-40  United States Sniper rifle 7.62×51mm
M-24  United States Sniper rifle 7.62×51mm
Mk 14 EBR  United States Designated marksman rifle 7.62×51mm
M110  United States Designated marksman rifle 7.62×51mm
G28  Germany Sniper rifle 7.62×51mm 1
PSG1  Germany Sniper rifle 7.62×51mm
Steyr SSG 69  Austria Sniper rifle 7.62×51mm
L96A1  United Kingdom Sniper rifle 7.62×51mm 1
Barrett M82A1  United States Anti-materiel sniper rifle 12.7×99mm 123
Bushmaster BA50 Rifle  United States Anti-materiel sniper rifle 12.7×99mm 12
Steyr HS .50  Austria Anti-materiel sniper rifle 12.7×99mm 123
RT-20  Croatia Anti-materiel sniper rifle 20×110mm
Karabiner 98k  Germany Rifle 7.92×57mm 1
Lee–Enfield  United Kingdom Rifle .303 Mk VII SAA Ball
Soviet Standard
Makarov pistol  Soviet Union Pistol 9×18mm
TT pistol  Soviet Union Pistol 7.62×25mm Tokarev
CZ 75  Czechoslovakia Pistol 9×19mm
Zastava CZ 99  Serbia Pistol 9×19mm
Škorpion vz. 61  Czechoslovakia Submachine Gun 9×18mm
PM-63 RAK  Poland Submachine Gun 9×18mm
PPSh-41  Soviet Union Submachine Gun 7.62×25mm
PPS  Soviet Union Submachine Gun 7.62×25mm
Zastava M92  Serbia Carbine 7.62×39mm 12
AKS-74U  Soviet Union Carbine 5.45×39mm
AK-47  Soviet Union Assault rifle 7.62×39mm Standard Assault Rifle (along with AKM) of the peshmerga
AKM  Soviet Union Assault rifle 7.62×39mm Standard Assault Rifle (along with AK-47) of the peshmerga
AK-74  Soviet Union Assault rifle 5.45×39mm
AK-74M  Russia Assault rifle 5.45×39mm
AK-103  Russia Assault rifle 5.45×39mm
Type 56  China Assault rifle 7.62×39mm 123
Sa vz.58  Czechoslovakia Assault rifle 7.62×39mm 1
PM md. 63/65 Romania Socialist Republic of Romania Assault rifle 7.62×39mm 12
Kbk wz. 1988 Tantal  Poland Assault rifle 5.45×39mm
MPi-KM  East Germany Assault rifle 7.62×39mm
Zastava M70  Yugoslavia Assault rifle 7.62×39mm
AK-63  Hungary Assault rifle 7.62×39mm
AMD 65  Hungary Assault rifle 7.62×39mm
RPD machine gun  Soviet Union Light machine gun 7.62×39mm
RPK  Soviet Union Light machine gun 7.62×39mm 1
Zastava M72  Yugoslavia Light machine gun 7.62×39mm
PK  Soviet Union General-purpose machine gun 7.62×54mmR
Pecheneg machine gun  Russia General-purpose machine gun 7.62×54mmR
Zastava M84  Yugoslavia General-purpose machine gun 7.62×54mmR 123
Type 67 machine gun  China General-purpose machine gun 7.62×54mmR
Type 80 machine gun  China General-purpose machine gun 7.62×54mmR
Saiga-12  Russia Shotgun 18.5×70mm
Norinco HP9-1  China Combat shotgun 18.5×70mm 1
DShK  Soviet Union Heavy machine gun 12.7×108mm 1, 2
NSV machine gun  Soviet Union Heavy machine gun 12.7×108mm
KPV heavy machine gun  Soviet Union Heavy machine gun 14.5×114mm
SKS  Soviet Union Semi-automatic rifle 7.62×39mm
Mosin–Nagant  Soviet Union Rifle 7.62×54mmR
vz. 98/22  Czechoslovakia Rifle 8×57mm IS
SVD Dragunov  Soviet Union Designated marksman rifle 7.62×54mmR 12
Tabuk Sniper Rifle  Iraq Sniper rifle 7.62×39mm 1
Dragunov SVU  Russia Designated marksman rifle 7.62×54mmR
Orsis T-5000  Russia Sniper rifle 7.62×51mm NATO
PSL Romania Socialist Republic of Romania Sniper rifle 7.62×54mmR 12
Zastava M91  FR Yugoslavia Sniper rifle 7.62×54mmR
Zastava M76  Yugoslavia Sniper rifle 7.92×57mm Mauser 1
Zastava M98  FR Yugoslavia Sniper rifle 7.92×57mm 1
KSVK 12.7  Russia Anti-materiel rifle 12.7×108mm
OSV-96  Russia Anti-materiel rifle 12.7×108mm
Zastava M93 Black Arrow  Serbia Anti-materiel rifle 12.7×108mm 123
AMR-2  China Anti-materiel rifle 12.7×108mm 1
Zijiang M99  China Anti-materiel rifle 12.7×108mm 1

Anti-tank weaponry

Name Country of origin Type Caliber Notes
RPG-7  Soviet Union Rocket-propelled grenade 40mm
RPG-29  Soviet Union Rocket-propelled grenade 105 mm
RPG-32  Russia Rocket-propelled grenade 105 mm
Type 69 RPG  China Rocket-propelled grenade 40mm 123
RB M57  Yugoslavia Rocket-propelled grenade 44mm
Panzerfaust 3[68][76]  Germany Rocket-propelled grenade 60mm 400 Units with 5,800 missiles.[77][78]
M72 LAW  United States Anti-tank weapon 66mm
AT4  Sweden /  United States Anti-tank weapon 84mm 1,000 units[79]1
Carl Gustaf[67]  Sweden /  Germany Anti-tank weapon 84mm 40 Units with 1,000 Shells.
M79 Osa  Yugoslavia Anti-tank weapon 90mm
M80 Zolja  Yugoslavia Anti-tank weapon 64mm
FGM-148 Javelin  United States Anti-tank weapon 127 mm 1
HJ-8[80]  People's Republic of China Anti-tank missile 120mm
AT-4 Spigot  Soviet Union Anti-tank missile 120mm
AT-14 Spriggan  Russia Anti-tank missile 152mm 123
AT-5 spandrel  Russia Anti-tank missile 115mm 122
AT-3 Sagger  Soviet Union Anti-tank missile 1
MILAN[76][78][81][82]  France /  Germany Anti-tank missile 115mm 60 Units with 1,200 missiles.
BGM-71 TOW  United States Anti-tank missile 152mm
M40 recoilless rifle[83]  United States Recoilless Rifle 106mm
SPG-9  Soviet Union Recoilless Rifle 73mm 1
Breda Folgore[84]  Italy Recoilless Rifle 80mm 1

Grenade launchers

Name Country of origin Type Caliber Notes
Denel Y3 AGL  South Africa grenade launcher 40×53mm 1
QLZ-87  China grenade launcher 35x80mm 123
GL-06  Switzerland grenade launcher 40×46mm 123
AGS-30  Soviet Union grenade launcher 30x29mmB 1
AGS-17  Soviet Union grenade launcher 30x29mmB 12
Mk 47 Striker  United States grenade launcher 40×53mm 1
Mk 19  United States grenade launcher 40×53mm 1
M203 grenade launcher  United States grenade launcher 40×46mm SR 123
M79 grenade launcher  United States grenade launcher 40×46mm SR 12
GP-25  Russia grenade launcher 40 mm

Mortars

Name Country of origin Type Caliber
M224  United States Mortar 60mm
M252  United Kingdom Mortar 81mm
M-29  United States Mortar 81mm
M1938 mortar  Soviet Union Mortar 120mm

Vehicles

Armored vehicles

Name Country of origin Type Quantity Notes
T-62  Soviet Union Main battle tank 150-170 100–120 with PUK peshmerga forces, and 50 with KDP peshmerga forces.[85] Ammunition is limited.
T-54/T-55[86] / Type 69/79  Soviet Union /  China Main battle tank 95/215 95 in active service as of 2011, and 120 in need of an overhaul.[85]
T-72  Soviet Union Main battle tank Taken during 2003 Iraq War.1
BMP-1  Soviet Union Infantry fighting vehicle Taken during 2003 Iraq War.
BRDM-2  Soviet Union Armored Car Taken during 2003 Iraq War.
MT-LB  Soviet Union Armoured personnel carrier Taken during 2003 Iraq War.
YW701  China Armoured personnel carrier 12
EE-9  Brazil Armored car 12
EE-11 Urutu  Brazil Infantry fighting vehicle 123
M1117  United States Armored Car Seized from the deserting Iraqi Army.
MRAP  United States Armoured personnel carrier
Cougar  United States Infantry mobility vehicle (4x4) 12
International MaxxPro  United States armored fighting vehicle
Dingo  Germany Armoured personnel carrier 20 20 delivered by Germany. 1 destroyed in 2014 war.[87][88][89]
Reva  South Africa Armoured personnel carrier (4x4 7,8-tons) 123
Spartan Armored personnel carrier
Guardian[90] Armored personnel carrier In use by anti-terror forces

Logistics and utility vehicles

Name Country of origin Type Number Notes
Ural-5323  Russia Heavy Transport (8x8 10-tons)
Mack-Granite Axle Back  United States Heavy Transport (4x6 10-tons) 25-40 Purchased from US originally for civilian use.
Mercedes-Benz Atego  Germany Medium Transport (4x4 5-tons) 5-25 Purchased from Germany.
Mercedes-Benz Zetros  Germany Medium Transport (4x4 7-tons) 123
Navistar 7000  United States Medium Transport (4x4 7-tons) 12
KrAZ-6322  Ukraine Light Transport (6x6 7-tons) 1
GAZ-33097  Russia Light Transport (4x4 2-tons)
GAZ-66  Soviet Union Light Transport (4x4 2-tons)
Ural-4320  Soviet Union Heavy Transport (6x6 7-tons) 1
UAZ  Soviet Union Light Utility Vehicle 1
UAZ-469  Soviet Union Military light utility vehicle
UNIMOG  Germany Light Transport (4x4 2-tons) 40 Delivered by Germany.
Humvee[91]  United States Light Utility Vehicle
M1151  United States Light Utility Vehicle
M939 Truck  United States Six-wheel drive (6x6 5-tons)
LKW Wolf  Germany Light Utility Vehicle 60 (includes 20 lightly armored type) Delivered by Germany.
Land Rover Defender  United Kingdom Light Utility Vehicle
Nissan Titan  Japan Light Utility Vehicle
Toyota Hilux  Japan Light Utility Vehicle
Toyota Landcruiser[83]  Japan Light Utility Vehicle

Artillery

Name Country of origin Type Notes
BM-21 Grad  Soviet Union 122mm multiple rocket launcher
M-198  United States 155mm howitzer 1
M101 howitzer  United States 105mm howitzer 1
D-30  Soviet Union 122mm howitzer
D-20  Soviet Union 152mm gun-howitzer 1
M-46  Soviet Union 130mm field gun 1
Ordnance QF 25-pounder[92]  United Kingdom 87.6mm gun-howitzer 12
Type 63  China 107mm multiple rocket launcher

Anti-aircraft guns

Name Country of origin Type Notes
ZSU-57-2  Soviet Union 57mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun 12
Type 63  China[93] 37 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun 1
ZPU  Soviet Union 14.5mm anti-aircraft gun 12
20mm Mle F2  France[94] 20mm anti-aircraft gun1
ZU-23-2  Soviet Union 23mm anti-aircraft gun1
S-60  Soviet Union 57mm anti-aircraft gun pictures
37 mm automatic air defense gun M1939 (61-K)  Soviet Union 37mm anti-aircraft gun
Type-65 37mm AAA  China 37mm anti-aircraft gun 1

Helicopters

Name Country of origin Type Notes
MD 530F[95]  United States Utility helicopter 12 ordered
MD 902 Explorer[95]  United States Utility helicopter 2 ordered
Mil Mi-8[95]  Soviet Union Transport helicopter
Mil Mi-17[95]  Soviet Union Transport helicopter 2 borrowed from Iraq
Eurocopter EC120 Colibri[95]  France Utility helicopter
Eurocopter EC135[95]  Germany Utility helicopter
Bell 206[95]  United States Utility helicopter
Sikorsky S-333[96][97][98]  United States Utility helicopter

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Over 150,000 enlisted as Peshmerga troops in Kurdistan Region, official data shows". 3 April 2017. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  2. ^ Quil Lawrence (2009). Invisible Nation: How the Kurds' Quest for Statehood Is Shaping Iraq and the Middle East. p. xiii. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  3. ^ "Remembering Leader Jabar Farman on his 9th Death Anniversary". PUK. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  4. ^ a b Nawzad, Mahmoud (25 August 2014). "Sources: Barzani Orders Peshmerga Forces Reformed, United". Rudaw Media Network. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  5. ^ "Summary of the most important tasks of the Ministry of Peshmerga". Ministry of Peshmerga. 12 November 2012. Archived from the original on 12 January 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "Iraqi PM criticizes Kurdish region for barring army from Syrian border area". Xinhua News Agency. 28 July 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
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Further reading

  • Chapman, Dennis P., Lieutenant Colonel USA, Security Forces of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Mohammed najat, Costa Mesa, California: Mazda Publishers, 2011. ISSN 0026-3141 Reviewed by Michael M. Gunter in Middle East Affairs, Vol. 65, No. 3, Summer 2011.


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