More than 1,150 Peshmerga killed in war; ministers condemn executions

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – More than 1,150 of the Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga have been killed in the war with ISIS and over 5,600 wounded, a Kurdish MP said in a report.

Kawa Mohammed, a Kurdish MP in the Iraqi parliament, said he had sent a report to Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi citing that, “Until now, some 1,152 Peshmerga have lost their lives and more than 5,600 are wounded in the fight against ISIS.”

Mohammed said that he had asked the prime minister why Peshmerga salaries are not being paid by the Baghdad government.

Iraq and Erbil have been long locked in political and financial disputes, but these have exacerbated from Baghdad refusing to pay for the running of the Kurdish regional government, including Peshmerga salaries.   

“The families of martyrs live in a bad condition, which they do not deserve. The Peshmerga’s bravery and strength requires us to improve those living conditions,” Mohammed said in his report to Abadi, who he said is obligated to reply to the MP within two weeks.

Meawhile, the Kurdistan Region’s Council of Ministries condemned Peshmerga executions by ISIS, after the militant Sunni group released a video showing the killings of three Peshmerga captives.

“Executing hostages in this barbaric way is only expected from the dark worshipers of ISIS. Such a behavior is far away from the human, religious and ethical principles,” the ministers said in their statement.

ISIS has released videos showing captive Peshmerga being beheaded.

“Terrorists must understand they will never get away with what they did against these three hostages,” the minister’s statement added.“Terrorists must wait for an outrageous punishment,” it warned.

Hisham Nabil, Pshtiwan Osman and Rizgar Hama Salih were the three Peshmerga killed.

“We condemn this atrocity and we assure the perpetrators of this act that one day they will pay the price, at the right time.”

“We take a bow for their sacred souls, and send our condolence to the families of martyrs Pshtiwan, Hisham and Rizgar,” the statement concluded.