With this adjusted mission, and under decisions made by the Global Coalition Against Daesh [Islamic State, ISIS] during the coronavirus pandemic, “Germany will not provide explicit armament supply anymore,” and has reduced the number of troops it has in Iraq, but they are “higher qualified personnel for the mentoring and advising task,” Nogrady explained.
Germany, along with the United Kingdom and United States, is helping the Peshmerga with a project to reform and professionalize the force. Nogrady said the two main things the Peshmerga need are regular salary payments and political leadership that can improve relations with the federal government in Baghdad.
Germany’s mission in Iraq has been extended to 2022.
2020 was a difficult year for everyone, for the coalition forces as well. How did you conduct your mission under quarantine restrictions?
Of course the COVID pandemic had a deep impact on the entire world and on everybody’s life. We, in the German contingent here in Kurdistan, we obey strict rules, not only for our military duty, but also for our daily living together. Every new soldier, new German soldier for our contingent had passed 14 days quarantine and several COVID tests before he is allowed to start his regular duty here at Erbil and in the entire Iraq.
Actually, we also reduced our personnel, but that was due to the coalition decision to conclude individual training and to shift to the more ambitious advising and mentoring. So we also condensed our contingent here to a lower number, but higher qualified personnel for the mentoring and advising task.
German discipline is well-known. What is the most important thing the Peshmerga can learn from the German army?
The German discipline is of course a well-known prejudice, although perhaps not without any reason. But, however, I don’t think that it really makes sense to export cultural behavior into another society.
I actually did not recognize that there is an explicit discipline problem within the Peshmerga. Our aim here is instead to help the Peshmerga to develop from a militia, as they are, to a regular army. For that reason, the Peshmerga need less improved discipline, but help to a more professionalized army. And they need, I think, our help to develop organizational and also planning skills.
The German army, people, and government stood by the people of the Kurdistan Region and the Peshmerga in the fight against ISIS. The MILAN weapon played an important role. The training you give the Peshmerga is very important. Will you continue to do this? Will the training in Hammelburg be repeated?
I’m happy that we could help the struggle of your country. First and most importantly, Germany supported, supports, and will support any Kurdish efforts to bring stability here to this region. Fortunately the hot phase of the war against ISIS is completed. For that reason, Germany will not provide explicit armament supply anymore, and also concluded the individual training in coordination with the coalition. But of course, our main effort is, as I already mentioned, to improve the professionalization of the Peshmerga by mentoring and advising.
For example, we help the Ministry of Peshmerga in the development of an enhanced NCO core, or the improvement of the medical services, or the professionalization of the staff officer education. And of course we will continue with our military training support program where yearly a selected number of Iraqi and Kurdish soldiers were sent to Germany for military training. This is done in close coordination with the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs.
After your experience in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, what do you think is the main need for the Peshmerga forces?
From my point of view, first, I think it is regular and reliable payment that the Peshmerga is able to feed their families. And second… political leadership who is capable to build and maintain a stable and trustful relationship to the central Iraqi government.
The people of Kurdistan, the political leadership and the Peshmerga attach great importance to the alliance of Germany. Do you also feel that way?
Of course, during my visits and meetings to the political and military leadership here in the KRG, I really recognized the high estimation and also the confidence of the entire people to Germany and also the German forces, and I really appreciate it. Thank you very much.
Your mission is completed and another commander will take your place. What observations have you made about Kurdistan and the Peshmerga forces?
First, you need a deep understanding of the historical and social circumstances here in the KRG and also the entire Iraq. Second, the military performance and bravery of the Peshmerga in the fight against ISIS deserve our highest respect. And third, for operational advising and mentoring, you will need patience. Quick success on these processes is seldom achievable.
Did you have time to travel around? What places did you visit and what places do you still want to see?
I am really excited that my superiors sent me here for this mission into the heartland of an ancient high culture Assyria. Here stood the cradle of all our civilizations. And I would really have been happy if I could have visited some historical sites like Babylon or Nineveh. However, the strict movement regulations of the Coalition but also of my own national authorities did not permit the fulfillment of my personal wishes. But at least I had the chance to enjoy something and an impression of the beautiful nature here of Kurdistan during my meetings with the political and military leadership of the KRG. And of course I hope that I have the chance to return here to Kurdistan in a more peaceful and perhaps touristic time.
What have you seen that we have in common, between Kurds and Germans?
The common basis I think for us all is our military professionalism. We are all soldiers and we know why we have to fight and for what aim we have to fight. And all other things like procedures or planning and organization and other things which differs between a Western army and here militia system, that is something we can overcome or we can develop together on this basis of military understanding.
Thank you.
I thank you for this talk and God bless your country. And I wish your brave people a prosperous and peaceful future. Thank you and good-bye.
