With the assistance of advisors from the United Kingdom, United States, and Germany, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Ministry of Peshmerga is in the midst of a wide-ranging reform program aimed at professionalizing and unifying the regional forces.
The UK Consul General to Erbil Martyn Warr and British Col. Will Davies, the special defence adviser to the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs, explain in a mid-April interview that more that the program encompasses more than 30 projects to deliver an “an accountable, affordable and capable Peshmerga”
The Brits express that reform is necessary to ensure the lasting defeat of the Islamic State (ISIS) and other security threats the Kurdistan Region of Iraq may encounter. They also see the reform program as a wider “driver of greater governmental reform” that will further allow the Kurdistan Region to prosper and stabilise.
Rudaw English: How do you assess the progress of reforms, if there have been any?
CG Warr and Col. Davies: In 2015 the UK was invited by then President Masoud Barzani to assist the KRI with reform of the Peshmerga. The Peshmerga of the Future Reform Programme was endorsed by the KRG in 2017 and aims to deliver an accountable, affordable and capable Peshmerga. The programme comprises over 30 projects focused on developing the military and institutional capacity of the Peshmerga. A Reform Directorate was established in the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs in 2017-18 to drive the reform process and work on the first projects began in 2018. The UK is coordinating closely with the USA and Germany in advising the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs and the KRG on Peshmerga reform.
Why does the UK government feel the need to help Peshmerga professionalize?
KRI security and stability is a long held priority for the Global Coalition against Daesh and an important component of a stable, secure and prosperous Iraq. The UK is committed to both going forward. Peshmerga reform is a key element of that commitment and it should be a priority programme within the KRI's wider reform effort.
How do these reforms help Peshmerga in combating terrorism?
The reform programme aims to professionalise the Peshmerga forces into a more capable, accountable and affordable. The programme is broad-ranging and it will take time and commitment to deliver it fully. It will ensure the Peshmerga can meet future security threats effectively, prevent future violent extremism, and make the defeat of Daesh lasting.
How do you think these reforms will help with the rule of law and democratic process in the Kurdistan Region?
The UK is committed to the security and stability of the KRI and Iraq. Transforming the KRI security sector should be a priority task within the KRG's wider reform agenda. It can be a driver of greater governmental reform and bring benefits to the security, stability and prosperity of the KRI. Failure to reform the KRG's security forces will weaken the security of the KRG and Iraq.
What would be the UK stance should no practical or serious steps be undertaken on the part of the KRG, KDP, or PUK?
The UK and the international community are committed to the security and stability of the KRI and Iraq. Commitment to reform must be mutual. The KRG has supported Peshmerga reform since the start of the programme. We look forward to working closely with the new KRG to deliver the next phases of the reform programme.