SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The U.S.-led Coalition forces on Wednesday provided more military vehicles to the Peshmerga forces as part of its mission against Islamic State (ISIS) militants.
Officials from the Peshmerga ministry and the Coalition signed an agreement in a ceremony to hand over dozens of military vehicles to the Peshmerga.
Brigadier General Amir Karim at the ministry of Peshmerga said the Coalition had supplied Humvees, water and fuel tank trucks, loaders and small excavators to the Kurdish forces.
“Increasing the capabilities of the Peshmerga brigades helps improve duties of the Peshmerga ministry everywhere,” the Peshmerga official said in a press conference.
Brigadier General Hoshmand Rashid, deputy chief of staff for administration and logistics, acknowledged the Coalition forces for their continued support for the Kurdish forces.
“We have benefited a lot from the past and current aid given to us. Therefore, we appreciate their assistance,” Hoshmand said, calling for the continuity of the Coalition’s support.
Coalition’s senior advisor colonel Todd Burroughs said the Coalition and the Peshmerga had “common enemy” to defeat.
“Today is a tremendous day,” said Burroughs.
“We have a common enemy and our common mission is to defeat Daesh,” he added, using an Arabic acronym for Islamic State (ISIS).
“There is no doubt in my mind that as we move forward in the future, we will be successful in that mission together,” he continued.
He further said the Coalition forces is committed to the Peshmerga and the mission to defeat ISIS militants.
“One request that I have of the Peshmerga is that as you take control of the vehicles today, treat them like your own vehicles because this is just the beginning,” the Coalition colonel said.
