Author: alan131210 » Tue Aug 14, 2012 9:57 pm

August 14, 2012
ERBIL-Hewlêr, Kurdistan region — Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Imad Ahmed said that a governmental project is currently underway to legalize the status of the Peshmerga forces. This step came amid increasing disagreement with the Baghdad-based central government over the role of the Peshmerga within the Iraqi security system.
In a statement issued by the KRG, Ahmed said, “We are working hard to reorganize the Peshmerga forces according to legal means,
We attribute great importance to training, weapons and supplies so that we will be able to effectively defend the gains of our people, and the security and stability of our citizens in the future.”
According to the official, part of the project has already been completed. In its next phase, the KRG will work on organizing the Peshmerga forces on a legal basis so they would be able to defend the Kurdistan region and perform their national duties.
The statement also quoted Ahmed addressing Peshmerga forces based near the city of Kirkuk, an area disputed between the KRG and the Baghdad-based government. “It has become your duty to defend and preserve the security and property of citizens, particularly in the disputed areas. You must defend them against terrorists and the enemies of the people,” Ahmed said.
Ahmed also said that the KRG considered itself responsible for providing security and other provisions for residents of disputed zones. The Peshmerga forces will play a key role in defending civilians against potential terrorist attacks on the areas, he added.
Ahmed called upon the Baghdad-based government to fundamentally reconsider Peshmerga issue once and for all. He also urged the central government to take into consideration the budget allocated to the forces according to the constitution,www.ekurd.net which stipulates that the Peshmerga forces are part of the Iraqi defense system. He noted that the Baghdad-based government has refused to fund the budget of the forces. The KRG has taken up this task instead, he added.
Al Monitor
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