SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Bafel Jalal Talabani said on Tuesday efforts continue to build a “strong and modern” Peshmerga force for the Kurdistan Region.
Talabani held a meeting with commanders of 70 Unit of the Peshmerga forces, his office said in a statement.
Talabani discussed the latest developments, arming the Peshmerga forces and Islamic State (ISIS) movements with the commanders during the meeting attended by Minister of Peshmerga Shorish Ismael and head of protection and information-information agency Jalal Sheikh Naji, the statement read.
Talabani stressed the importance of developing humanitarian and military capabilities of the Peshmerga forces during the meeting, the statement said.
“We continue from our efforts to build a strong and modern force,” Talabani said. “Intensive and continuous training as well as provision of equipment are the important pillars of the army and we want to prepare and arm the Peshmerga forces in the best way.”
“Military acts must be conducted on the basis of precise intelligence and cooperation and coordination between the security forces, and the protection of the Kurdistan Region’s security and stability should be above all interests,” he added.
Regarding ISIS movements, Talabani tasked the Peshmerga commanders with standing against the group’s movements that put Kurdistan’s stability in danger.
He noted that joint works and cooperation between the Iraqi and Peshmerga forces “are important” to confront the group, according to the statement.
“The Peshmerga forces and all the security forces are the real protector of people’s lives and homes,” Talabani stressed during the meeting.
“Therefore, we won’t allow anybody to have special forces and we will completely stand against it.”
