UK provides 3.5 million pounds to reorganize Peshmerga, Iraqi forces training centers
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The United Kingdom is providing a 3.5 million pound program to help reorganize training centers of Kurdish Peshmerga and Iraqi forces, an official told Rudaw on Wednesday.
In addition to helping the Ministry of Peshmerga with a reform program for the last four years, providing equipment, and consultancy “Britain has another program for helping the Peshmerga Ministry, and that is a 3.5 million pound program for supporting and renewal of the military colleges of Zakho, Qala Chwalan, and Rostamia, as well as both colleges of Arkan in Baghdad and Chwar Qwrna,” Brigadier General Hazhar Omer, a senior Peshmerga Ministry advisor, told Rudaw on Wednesday.
“The program is to renew the training plans of these centers, and provide consultation,” added Omer.
The UK is a member of the global coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS) and has trained Peshmerga forces since 2014, including assisting with major reforms in the Peshmerga ministry. The coalition altogether has trained over 40,000 Peshmerga.
“Clearly they are very brave, very courageous young fighters. We want to make sure they’re best equipped, and best trained to undertake the task they need to do. We’re security partners, and that partnership involves supporting you where we can so that you are best equipped to manage the challenges that you face,” David Hunt, UK consul-general in Erbil, told Rudaw.
“We know how important the Peshmerga is to the KRI [Kurdistan Region of Iraq] and to contributing to regional security and stability,” added Hunt.
The UK has been an important ally of the Kurdistan Region for decades. Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani arrived in London on Wednesday for a three day trip to discuss security and cooperation between the two sides.
The UK is also one of the countries that founded the Kurdistan Training Coordination Center (KTTC) for Peshmerga training.
Additional reporting by Ranja Jamal and Hadi Salimi
In addition to helping the Ministry of Peshmerga with a reform program for the last four years, providing equipment, and consultancy “Britain has another program for helping the Peshmerga Ministry, and that is a 3.5 million pound program for supporting and renewal of the military colleges of Zakho, Qala Chwalan, and Rostamia, as well as both colleges of Arkan in Baghdad and Chwar Qwrna,” Brigadier General Hazhar Omer, a senior Peshmerga Ministry advisor, told Rudaw on Wednesday.
“The program is to renew the training plans of these centers, and provide consultation,” added Omer.
The UK is a member of the global coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS) and has trained Peshmerga forces since 2014, including assisting with major reforms in the Peshmerga ministry. The coalition altogether has trained over 40,000 Peshmerga.
“Clearly they are very brave, very courageous young fighters. We want to make sure they’re best equipped, and best trained to undertake the task they need to do. We’re security partners, and that partnership involves supporting you where we can so that you are best equipped to manage the challenges that you face,” David Hunt, UK consul-general in Erbil, told Rudaw.
“We know how important the Peshmerga is to the KRI [Kurdistan Region of Iraq] and to contributing to regional security and stability,” added Hunt.
The UK has been an important ally of the Kurdistan Region for decades. Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani arrived in London on Wednesday for a three day trip to discuss security and cooperation between the two sides.
The UK is also one of the countries that founded the Kurdistan Training Coordination Center (KTTC) for Peshmerga training.
Additional reporting by Ranja Jamal and Hadi Salimi