US looking to arm Iraq’s Peshmerga with air defenses

ByNews Desk- The Cradle 

The Peshmerga is linked to the Iraq-based Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), an Iranian Kurdish separatist group which operates near the Iranian border

US lawmakers have proposed providing Kurdish Peshmerga forces in northern Iraq with air defense systems in order to counter missile and drone strikes carried out “by Iran and Turkiye,” Middle East Eye (MEE) reported on 21 June.

On 21 June, the House of Representatives passed an amendment calling for the delivery of air defense systems to the Kurdish Peshmerga in the Iraqi Kurdistan region, the military force of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and its ruling party, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).

The amendment was put forward by Congressman Don Bacon, who said it had “strong bipartisan support” and that it “would direct the US administration to prepare and implement a plan of action to train and equip Kurdish Peshmerga and Iraqi security forces to defend against attacks by Iranian missiles, rockets, and unmanned systems.”

Turkiye launches regular drone attacks against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in Iraq, as well as its affiliates in Syria.

Ankara has maintained cordial and even positive relations with the Peshmerga, who have often clashed with Turkiye’s foes in the PKK.

However, the Peshmerga support and are affiliated with the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), an Iranian Kurdish separatist organization based in northern Iraq near the borders with the Islamic Republic.

For years, Kurdish militias have threatened the security of Iran from Iraqi territory, most notably the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI), which has been active for decades and operates in exile in areas of northern Iraq. KDPI was the driving force behind the 1979 Kurdish rebellion in Iran and was supported by Saddam Hussein during the Iran-Iraq war. It also played a role in anti-government riots in Iran last year.

As a result of this Kurdish presence near the Iranian border, Iran has launched numerous operations and strikes against KDPI positions in Iraq. Positions belonging to the PAK in Iraq have also been targeted by Tehran.

In March, Iran and Iraq signed a border security agreement, with Baghdad vowing to reign in the activity of Kurdish militants on the Iranian border.

Last month, the Iranian Intelligence Ministry announced that it will continue striking northern Iraq if Baghdad fails to reign in the militants, adding that Iran is “waiting for the government of Iraq to honor its commitments.”