Peregraf
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto arrived in Erbil this evening, aiming to bolster relations and coordination between the Peshmerga forces and the Italian Ministry of Defense.
Welcoming the delegation, Shorsh Ismail, the Minister of Peshmerga Affairs, stated, “On behalf of the people and government of the Kurdistan Region, we extended our welcome to His Excellency Guido Crosetto. His visit holds significant importance as it aims to further strengthen our relations and increase coordination between the Ministry of Peshmerga and the Italian Ministry of Defense.”
The visit highlights the enduring partnership between Italy and the Kurdistan Region, with Italy playing a vital role in supporting Peshmerga forces through training programs, equipping efforts, and strategic planning.
This high-level meeting is expected to advance bilateral defense cooperation, reinforcing stability and security in the region through collaborative efforts.
However, despite ongoing U.S. and coalition assistance to the Peshmerga Ministry, concerns remain about the slow progress of reforms and unification of Peshmerga forces amid persistent party conflicts between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) within the ministry. For the past seven years, the international coalition, particularly the U.S., the U.K., Germany, and the Netherlands, has aimed to create a national army for the Kurdistan Region by overcoming divisions within the PUK and KDP forces.