ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - An initiative was launched in Erbil on Monday to digitize health data for Kurdish Peshmerga forces. Funded by an American NGO, the project is part of Washington’s broader efforts to "professionalize and depoliticize" the Peshmerga "to create an effective fighting force,” the US consul general said.
Work on the Peshmerga Medical Force Readiness Initiative, funded by the US-based Spirit of America NGO, began in February last year. The initiative seeks to address longstanding issues of poor coordination among units within the Peshmerga ministry - problems that became especially apparent during incidents involving ministry personnel, particularly throughout the war against the Islamic State (ISIS).
“This is a modern digital system designed to reorganize the health affairs of the Peshmerga forces. It digitally connects the medical departments of military units to the Directorate of General Affairs (DGMA). This system represents the first digital platform for health data communication in the Kurdistan Region,” according to a pamphlet distributed at the event announcing the project.
US Consul General to Erbil Steve Bitner said the initiative is part of Washington's efforts to "professionalize and depoliticize" the Peshmerga.
“The platform is part of our efforts to professionalize and depoliticize the Peshmerga forces to create an effective fighting force,” Bitner said. “A fighting force that reports to the Kurdistan Regional Government [KRG] and not to individual political parties.”
He added that “efficient medical operations are an essential force multiplier that enhance the Peshmerga forces’ preparedness in the field.”
The consul general also noted that it will provide Peshmerga medical officers with accurate medical readiness data, and standardise medical reporting.
Peshmerga Minister Shoresh Ismail said on the sidelines of the event that his ministry “has made big achievements regarding the reform process.”
Despite efforts by Washington and several European countries, the Peshmerga remains a highly partisan force in organization and loyalty, split between the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and its rival Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK).
Unit 70 forces are affiliated with the PUK, and Unit 80 forces are controlled by the KDP. These two units make up the majority of the Peshmerga forces, amounting to over 100,000 troops.
Unification of the Peshmerga forces has been on the agenda of the KRG for several years, and while some progress has been made and a number of brigades controlled by the PUK and the KDP have been added to the ministry, much work remains to be done.
Under an agreement between the Peshmerga ministry and the Pentagon, the reform process is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Ismail expressed confidence that the reform process will be completed by the 2026 deadline.
“Unification of Peshmerga forces continues, and big steps are being taken on a daily basis,” he said, adding that Monday’s initiative is part of the process.
He also stated that, in line with the agreement, 11 divisions of the Peshmerga forces - comprising a total of 138,000 members - will be established.
Payam Sarbast contributed to this article.
