Peregraf
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius held a meeting with Kurdistan Regional President Nechirvan Barzani in Erbil to discuss the situation in Syria and Germany’s continued support for the Peshmerga forces.
During the discussions, both sides addressed the latest developments in Syria and their impact on the mission of the international coalition against ISIS, as well as the overall situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. The meeting also covered areas of cooperation between Iraq, the Kurdistan Region, and Germany.
President Barzani expressed gratitude for Germany’s ongoing support to Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, highlighting its critical role in the fight against ISIS and its assistance to vulnerable communities, particularly the Yezidis. He also praised Germany’s contribution to the reform and unification process within the Peshmerga forces.
Minister Pistorius reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region across various sectors.
For years, Germany has provided training, weapons, and advisory support to the Peshmerga and Iraqi forces in the fight against ISIS. However, the international coalition has voiced concerns over the slow progress of reforms aimed at unifying the Peshmerga forces. Efforts to integrate the KDP- and PUK-affiliated Peshmerga units into a national army have faced ongoing challenges due to political tensions between the two parties.
The coalition, including the United States, Germany, Britain, and the Netherlands, has been actively working for over seven years to advance these reforms through financial, military, and advisory assistance.