What are Peshmerga?
Q: What are Peshmerga?
A: Peshmerga are the military forces of the federal region of Iraqi Kurdistan.
Q: What other Kurdish security forces exist?
A: Other Kurdish security forces include Asayish (intelligence agency), Parastin u Zanyarî (assisting intelligence agency) and the Zeravani (military police).
Q: When was the Peshmerga started?
A: The peshmerga was started in 1943.
Q: Who is responsible for security in Iraqi Kurdistan?
A: The Peshmerga and other Kurdish security forces are responsible for the security of regions in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Q: Why is the regular Iraqi army forbidden to enter Iraqi Kurdistan?
A: The regular Iraqi army is forbidden to enter Iraq Kurdistan, so Peshmerga forces are the only security forces in the area.
Q: Who commands the Peshmerga force?
A: The Peshmerga force is formally under command of the Kurdistan Regional Government's Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs, but it is largely divided and controlled separately by two regional political parties - Democratic Party of Kurdistan and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan.
Q: What role did they play during 2003-2017 Iraq War?
A: During 2003-2017 Iraq War, peshmergas were said to have played a key role in capturing Saddam Hussein, captured key al Qaeda figure Hassan Ghul which eventually led to attack that killed Osama Bin Laden, and were part of coalition that took back Mosul from Islamic State of Iraq and Levant.
