Qubad Talabani: Peshmerga Unification a Historic Step

Qubad Talabani's Media Office

The ceremony marking the unification of Peshmerga forces.

Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, has described the unification of the Peshmerga’s 70th and 80th Units and their reorganisation under the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs as a historic step and the highest tribute to the struggles and sacrifices of the Peshmerga.

"The unification and institutionalisation of the Peshmerga forces, as well as the creation of a trained, professional force, has been a long-standing demand and desire of the people of Kurdistan, and we have been striving for it for many years," Talabani said in a post on social media.

"Therefore, unifying the 70th and 80th Units of the Peshmerga and reorganising them under the umbrella of the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs is a historic step and the highest tribute to the struggles and sacrifices of the Peshmerga," he added.

"On this occasion, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Kurdistan Peshmerga forces and assure them that, going forward, we will continue to support them with all our strength and work to keep them removed from any kind of political and party interference," he said.

"We also thank our allies, who have been instrumental over the past few years in helping us achieve this sacred goal," he added.

A ceremony was held on Monday, 21 September 2026, to announce the completion of the reorganisation and unification of the Peshmerga forces.

The ceremony was attended by Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, Vice Presidents Sheikh Jaafar Sheikh Mustafa and Mustafa Sayyid Qadir, Minister of Peshmerga Affairs Shorsh Ismail, and General Abdul Amir Al-Shammari, Director of the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, alongside senior government officials, security and military commanders, representatives of the Global Coalition, ambassadors and consuls.



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