Iraq
Sirwan Barzani, a Peshmerga commander, speaking to Rudaw in Erbil on September 25, 2024. Photo: Rudaw/screengrab
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Joint brigades between Iraqi army and Peshmerga forces will aim to address a persistent problem: A security vacuum exploited by the Islamic State (ISIS) in disputed areas.
“[ISIS] movement has increased, according to our and Iraqi intelligence,” Sirwan Barzani, Peshmerga commander of forces in Makhmour and Gwer, told Rudaw’s Payam Sarbast on Wednesday.
The Gwer-Makhmour front stretches about 60 kilometers southwest of Erbil.
“They [ISIS] are very small groups. They have not carried out operations for a while,” said Barzani, hoping that joint brigades between the Iraqi army and Peshmerga will commence soon.
The Peshmerga commander is optimistic about their capabilities with Iraqi forces.
“If they are based there, this issue will be significantly resolved,” he added.
Since the military defeat of ISIS was declared by the Iraqi government in December 2017, remnants of the extremists have posed problems in places between Kurdish and Iraqi forces with security vacuums.
“The security issue always exists. Peshmerga are vigilant. We are on the defensive in these areas because the areas are rigged…” Barzani said.
“It is not easy to control these areas without filling the gap,” he added. “There is always a threat but it is not huge. ISIS fighters are always present there and are expected to launch operations at any time.”
To combat ISIS in these areas, the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Peshmerga agreed in 2021 to form two joint brigades.
While the brigades will be fully under the control of the Iraqi federal government, it is not clear when the brigades will start working in the disputed areas.
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