| وەزارەتی کاروباری پێشمەرگە Wezaretî Pêşmerige | |
 | |
 Emblem of the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs | |
| Ministry overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 18 December 1991 (1991-12-18)[1] |
| Jurisdiction | Kurdistan Region |
| Headquarters | Erbil, Kurdistan Region |
| Motto | "Biji Kurdistan" (non-official) |
| Employees | 9000 |
| Ministry executives |
|
| Child Ministry | |
| Website | Official website |
TheMinistry of Peshmerga Affairs (MoPA) (Kurdish:وەزارەتی پێشمەرگە) is a ministry of theKurdistan Regional Government (KRG) responsible for the organization and command of thePeshmerga, the armed forces of theKurdistan Region in northernIraq. It oversees defense policy, coordination with international partners, and the protection of citizens' security and freedoms.[3]
The Peshmerga have their roots in Kurdish armed movements of the 20th century, gradually evolving from partisan militias into a regional military force. Following the establishment of the Kurdistan Region in the 1990s, efforts were made to centralize the command structure, leading to the eventual formation of the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs as part of the KRG institutions.[4]
The ministry commands several so-calledRegional Guard Brigades (RGBs) and administrative units, though parts of the Peshmerga remain aligned with the region’s main political parties (KDP andPUK). It plays a central role in unifying and professionalizing the force within the wider framework of Kurdistan’s security institutions.[5]
With 28 unified RGBs, the Ministry commands 74,400 Peshmerga soldiers, of whom 34,900 are based in theErbil Governorate, 23,800 in theDuhok Governorate, and 15,700 in theSulaymaniyah Governorate.[6]
The1st Support Forces and the2nd Support Forces, who have been integrated into the MoPA in 2021 and 2022, provide the ministry's RGBs with critical support functions.[7][8]
Since the war against theIslamic State (ISIS), reform has been a priority for the ministry. In January 2024, the ministry discussed steps toward restructuring and modernizing the Peshmerga with representatives of theUnited States and other members of the US-led coalition.[9] In December 2023, the inaugural meeting of the Peshmerga Executive Steering Committee, a joint initiative with the coalition, was held to coordinate reform and integration measures.[10]
The ministry is headed by the Minister of Peshmerga Affairs, appointed by theKRG cabinet. Since 2019, the position has been held byShoresh Ismail Abdulla, a veteran Peshmerga commander and member of the KRG’s ninth cabinet.[11]
