ERBIL — Kurdistan Region Ministry of Peshmerga announced on Thursday that another shipment of German military aid has been delivered to Peshmerga forces.  

The handover ceremony was attended by senior Peshmerga officials, including Brigadier General Roken Hoshmand Haidar Rashid, Deputy Chief of Staff for Administration, and Brigadier General Farman Zarari, Deputy Director of Military Logistics. Colonel Thomas Ritter, Commander of German Forces in the Region, oversaw the delivery.  

The Ministry stated, “These supplies and equipment, provided by the German military, will be distributed to the military logistics bases in Duhok and Sulaymaniyah under the supervision of the General Directorate of Military Logistics.”  

Germany has been a key partner in supporting the Peshmerga forces, particularly during the fight against Islamic State (IS). The German military began supplying weapons, training, and logistical aid to the Kurdistan Region in 2014 when IS posed a significant threat to Iraq and the broader region.  

German assistance has included advanced weapons systems, armored vehicles, communication equipment, and medical supplies, along with extensive training programs for Peshmerga personnel. These efforts have significantly bolstered the Peshmerga's operational capabilities and professionalism, enabling them to play a critical role in defeating IS.  

The delivery of supplies aligns with ongoing efforts to modernize and professionalize the Peshmerga forces. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has worked with international partners, including Germany and the US, to restructure and unify its military forces, which are seen as a cornerstone of regional stability.  

The latest shipment underscores Germany's continued commitment to the Kurdistan Region, both in strengthening its defense capabilities and contributing to the broader stability of Iraq and the Middle East. The Peshmerga remains a vital partner in counterterrorism operations, particularly in preventing the resurgence of IS in northern Iraq.  

This cooperation highlights the strategic importance of the Kurdistan Region in regional and international security frameworks, with Germany playing a pivotal role in supporting these efforts.