Peshmerga militia may be key to Iraqi Army’s success

VOA via Kurdish Media ^ | 2005 Jul 4

[Wiz]

Arbil, Iraq - Known for their fierce resistance to the Saddam Hussein government, leaders of the Kurdish region’s "peshmerga" militia say their forces are now ready to join the Iraqi National Army. But working alongside the Arabs, the Kurds’ former foe, may take some time to getting used to. VOA’s Patricia Nunan visited a military base outside the city of Arbil, in the Kurdish-controlled part of northern Iraq.

Young recruits for Iraq’s National Army, learning some of the basics. They’re not like many of the others who make up the new national force, because these men are Kurds -- an ethnic minority from Northern Iraq. And many of them still of think of themselves first as "peshmerga" -- the name for the Kurdish militias that spent decades fighting the Saddam Hussein regime.

Their value as a fighting force is in little dispute. The peshmerga were considered a key ally by Washington in the war to overthrow Saddam Hussein. And the relationship hasn’t ended there. Kurdish officials say many of the more than 1100 troops on this base have received weapons from the United States.

What they consider invaluable, however, says Captain Sabir Ahmed, is the American training they have received – designed to counter problems facing the Iraq of today. "The Americans teach us how to run checkpoints and search cars, and -- one thing that’s very important - how to carry out attacks to clear terrorists from a house."

Officials here say there are some 600 Kurdish troops fighting alongside U.S. and Iraqi forces in Arab regions in Northern Iraq. But the bulk of the 60,000 Peshmerga fighters have not been permitted to operate beyond the three provinces that make up the Kurdish region.

[Owl558]

These are brave and loyal allies. Godspeed Kurdish friends!

[Americanexpat]

I know, from experience, there is no love lost between the Kurds and the rest of the Iraqis. It might be better to keep the Kurds on a short leash. They might be able to use them in the outlying areas or along the border with Syria, but if they use them to search peoples homes and fight in the cities to the south all hell will break loose. Oh yeah, they better give them plenty of range time, the ones we had couldn't hit crap and we had to give them some basic training.

[patton]

Why is that? What makes us so special, that even our army privates can outfight most soldiers worldwide?

[sandydipper]

These are the people that Bill Clinton abandoned after assuring them that the US would back their revolt. It's hard to imagine that they now trust the US.

[Americanexpat]

Why is that? What makes us so special that even our army privates can outfight most soldiers worldwide?

"even our army privates."

Our Army is the best in the world and have proven it time and again. We have Army privates that are not Infantry engaging the enemy and kicking his a$$.

It goes back to training and having the money and resources to train troops properly. That is exactly what I was geting at with the kurds. Some of these guys have had a rifle in thier hands since they were kids. Even then, they need proper trianing to hit a target especially in built up areas where there are a lot of innocent people in the area.

[Americanexpat]

Hey, those flaming mice wouldn't have been the result of lighting that cigar would it. Having a cigar myself right now.

[Americanexpat]

IMO the Kurds would be smart to ensure they keep their homeland, there is just too much animosity between them and other Iraqis to place any faith in the government to protect them.

[patton]

Perhaps - I spent about 60% of my time in the Army in training, and the other 40% as an instructor.

But I think it is more than that - attitude.

[patton]

LOL. No, it was the woodstove. The old fart is my dad - I am the kid on the right.

[Americanexpat]

Your right about attitude. I spent a lot of years working in various committee groups training soldiers on the basics of weapons, grenades, explosives and anti tank weapons. The Kurds don't lack in a "gung ho" attitude, what they lack is military discipline and good leaders.

[patton]

Institutional knowlege, and iniative.

[BJClinton]

The story on your profile page is great.

[patton]

Thanks. ;)

[Zeroisanumber]

Actually, X41 abandoned them. They like Clinton because he kept up the "no fly" zone which kept them from being slaughtered, and allowed them to set up a de facto Kurdish autonomous zone in northern Iraq.

[Zeroisanumber]

Actually, X41 abandoned them. They like Clinton because he kept up the "no fly" zone which kept them from being slaughtered, and allowed them to set up a de facto Kurdish autonomous zone in northern Iraq. He also sent the Green Berets up there to train the Peshmergas, which is part of the reason that they're so organized and experienced now.

[wingnutx]

Most of Iraq's ICTF commandos are Kurds, and they are already kicking ass and taking names.