| Kurdistan Commando Forces | |
|---|---|
| هێزەکانی کۆماندۆی کوردستان romanized: Hêzekanî Komandoî Kurdistan | |
 | |
| Active | ~ 2012–present |
| Country |  Iraq |
| Allegiance |  Kurdistan Regional Government PUK |
| Branch | Peshmerga |
| Type | Special Forces |
| Role | Commando,Special Operations |
| Size | 500–10,000 |
| Garrison/HQ | Dabashan,Sulaymaniyah |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Diyar Omar (2025)[1] |
| Notable commanders | Akam Omar (co-founder), Barham Sheikh Mohammed (Golden Force) |
TheKurdistan Commando Forces (Kurdish: هێزەکانی کۆماندۆی کوردستان,romanized:Hêzekanî Komandoî Kurdistan,KCF) orPUK Commandos is aspecial forces unit of thePeshmerga, the military forces of theKurdistan Region. The unit operates specifically within the70 Unit of thePatriotic Union of Kurdistan's (PUK) Peshmerga and receives orders directly fromBafel Talabani, the president of the PUK.[2]
The Kurdistan Commando Forces were formed byJaafar Mustafa, during his tenure asMinister of Peshmerga Affairs.[2] Akam Omar was one of the co-founders and first commander of the unit.[3]
The forces played a major role during theWar against the Islamic State and received training from theU.S.-ledcoalition forces, particularlyFrance andGermany.[3]
The Commandos conduct regular anti-ISIS operations againstsleeper cells near and inside theSaladin Governorate,Diyala Governorate,Kirkuk Governorate and in the areas ofGarmian,Kifri andTuz Khurmato.[4][5][6] Sometimes the force also cooperates with theIraqi Counter Terrorism Service in joint anti-ISIS operations in thedisputed regions.[7]
In 2022, Commando units were deployed to theKhor Mor gas fields.[8]
In 2025, the Commandos took part in the controversialarrest of Lahur Talabani and raided his news outlet,Zoom News.[9]
According toKURDFILE, ananti-establishment andanti-corruption news outlet, the Commando forces comprised 500 fighters organized within threeregiments. However, following the power struggle inside the PUK and ousting ofLahur Talabani, recruitment efforts intensified, and the number of commandos surpassed 10,000 as of 2024.[10]
The Commandos are a well-equipped and trained force, which has advanced weapons includingarmored vehicles,tanks and non-combathelicopters.[3]
The Commandos consist of four to six battalions. The first battalion is the oldest and is known as the Headquarters Battalion, the second battalion is known as theGolden Force, and the third is called the Cobra Battalion.[8]
TheGolden Force orGolden Division Force is a sub-unit of the Kurdistan Commando Forces. It was too created by Jaafar Mustafa and its current commander is his relative Barham Sheikh Mohammed.[11][12][13] In 2021, Bafel Talabani tried to replace Sheikh Barham, which was directly rejected by the unit. A statement of the force read:"No one but Sheikh Barham can command the Golden Force."[14]
The unit is prominently equipped with GermanG-36 assault rifles.[11]
The Commando forces have been described as "instrument to serve the interests of their [...] party (PUK)."[10]Kurdistan24 accused the force of having committed "a series of crimes" inSulaymaniyah including killings, kidnappings, injuries, and the closure of an educational institution.[15]
The Golden Force faced criticism for allegedly misusing its power during a 2021 shootout withAsayish security forces inSulaimaniyah.[16][17] Commander Sheikh Barham refuted the allegations.[18]
