On the 11th anniversary of ISIS’s attack near Gwer and Makhmour, Sirwan Barzani has urged official recognition of the Peshmerga’s heroism. He emphasized that their historic victory near Erbil in 2014 changed the course of the war.
In a statement marking the occasion, Barzani remembered how ISIS pushed toward Erbil after capturing Mosul. At that time, the terrorists were just 35 kilometers away. With thousands of fighters and U.S.-made weapons abandoned by fleeing forces, ISIS posed a major threat.
However, under orders from President Barzani, the Peshmerga quickly mobilized. They confronted ISIS near Erbil and delivered the group its first defeat across both Syria and Kurdistan. This crucial moment, Barzani noted, came before the international coalition even joined the fight.
The Peshmerga fought without tanks or air support. Still, they broke ISIS’s advance and protected Erbil from collapse. Barzani stressed that this bravery must be permanently written into history.
He warned that while ISIS has weakened militarily, their ideology continues to fester. Many fighters remain hidden, waiting to strike again. According to Barzani, the real danger lies in the group’s patience and belief system.
He also criticized current security arrangements in the region. There is still a major gap between the Peshmerga and federal army positions. ISIS takes advantage of this vacuum to move undetected. Barzani said that nearly 70% of the Gwer-Makhmour axis remains unsecured.
To fix this, he called for more joint brigades. Only stronger coordination can close those gaps and eliminate ISIS’s routes for regrouping. Without action, the threat could return.
Barzani ended by calling on all sides to honor the sacrifices made. The Peshmerga’s defense of Erbil, he said, must not be forgotten.