"The Future of the Peshmerga Forces: Navigating the Relationship Between the Iraqi Federal Government and the Kurdistan Region"

Volume 13 , November 2025 , Pages 561- 578

Authors

Renas Bakr Ali 1 ; Abdul Aljabar Ahmad 2

1 MS in political science and security studies Ministry of peshmerga\ Kurdistan region

2 Collage Baghdad

DOI logo 10.17656/jlps.10360

Keywords

Abstract

The Peshmerga forces have played a very essential part in the security of Iraq especially in guarding Kurdistan Region and its efforts in attacking terrorism. However, their continuity is not certain because there have been political and legal conflict between the Kurdistan regional government (KRG) and the Iraqi federal government. This paper presents a brief look at the historical evolution of the Peshmerga forces since 2003, their involvement in the regional security and the collaboration with international forces like the United States and NATO. The study narrows down on the central political, legal and constitutional controversies between Baghdad and Erbil, such as to what extent the Peshmerga should be integrated as part of the national defense system of Iraq, how the Peshmerga should be funded and what the role of the lawyers is in the legal status of the Peshmerga. The results reveal that although the efforts provided by the Peshmerga have been very crucial in controlling the counterattack against terrorism, internal disunity, political clash, and legal grey areas degrade their efficiency and assimilation within the general security system of Iraq. The paper also addresses prospective future of the Peshmerga, any future model of cooperation or separation with the Iraq federal government. The studies rely on qualitative approaches of historical writings, contracts and political choices. The paper ends with the recommendation of policy reforms in defeating the legal, political, and financial issues and guaranteeing the position of Peshmerga in the long-term stability of Iraq.

Keywords: Peshmerga, Kurdistan Region, Iraqi Federal Government, Security Cooperation, Conflict, Integration

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  • First online12 November 2025
  • Published at12 November 2025

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