Ministry Confirms Preparedness of Peshmerga Forces, Holds Baghdad Responsible for Protecting Kurdistan Region’s Airspace, and Emphasizes Continued Coordination with Iraqi Army
As the scheduled date for the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq approaches, the Ministry of Peshmerga in the Kurdistan Region warned of the repercussions of the pullout amid what it described as security instability in Iraq and the Middle East, considering that the departure of US forces without providing a defense system for the Region is “a cause for concern.”
In a statement issued on Monday, the ministry said that US forces will withdraw on September 30 from Iraqi territory, including the Kurdistan Region, explaining that the move comes as a result of a mutual understanding between the Iraqi Federal Government, the United States, and Coalition forces.
It added that the timing of the withdrawal is “sensitive” given the ongoing security instability in Iraq and the Middle East, a situation that requires, according to the statement, further vigilance and sound political decisions, warning that the continued instability poses a threat to the entire region.
The Ministry of Peshmerga noted that over past months, during the confrontations between the United States and Iran, the Kurdistan Region was subjected to more than a thousand attacks by drones and ballistic missiles, a number of which fell in civilian areas, resulting—according to the statement—in several deaths and injuries, as well as material damage.
In this context, the ministry stated that “the United States leaving the Kurdistan Region in such a complex regional situation, without providing any defense system, causes concern,” while stressing at the same time that the Region’s airspace, as part of Iraqi airspace, falls within the priorities and responsibilities of the Federal Government.
It emphasized that the Federal Government must assume responsibility for protecting Kurdistan’s skies when needed, while the ministry underscored the readiness of the Peshmerga forces to deal with any new security developments.
The ministry stated that the Peshmerga forces, which “have been defenders of the land and people of Kurdistan,” stand fully prepared to face “any possibilities or new developments,” affirming their ability to adapt to various emergency circumstances and counter threats.
Conversely, the Ministry of Peshmerga expressed its gratitude to the United States and its allies, praising the cooperation and support they provided to the Kurdistan Region and the Peshmerga forces over past years.
It also affirmed that the Ministry of Peshmerga, as part of the Iraqi defense system, maintains strong constitutional and security ties with the Iraqi Army and will continue joint work and ongoing coordination with it.
Concluding its statement, the ministry directed a reassuring message to the people of Kurdistan, emphasizing that “Kurdistan is in safe and peace-loving hands.”
The withdrawal comes within the framework of the agreed-upon track between Baghdad and Washington to end the military mission of the International Coalition against ISIS in Iraq.
In August 2026, the Iraqi government confirmed that September 30 represents the deadline for the exit of US forces and the completion of the termination of the Coalition’s military mission in Iraq. US forces had previously withdrawn from most Iraqi bases during the prior phase, while maintaining their presence in the Kurdistan Region during the transitional period.
The Peshmerga forces played a pivotal role alongside Iraqi forces and the International Coalition in confronting ISIS since 2014, while the United States continued over subsequent years to provide support, training, and assistance to Peshmerga forces. The current phase also comes in the context of efforts to reorganize and unify the Peshmerga forces under the structure of the Ministry of Peshmerga.
Note: This text is translated from the original Arabic version… Read the Arabic version:Click here
