The Peshmerga salary crisis took center stage during a series of crucial meetings in Baghdad. Shorish Ismail, Minister of Peshmerga Affairs for the Kurdistan Region, met with top Iraqi and American officials to demand swift action. He pressed the case for long-overdue salaries and called for enhanced military cooperation between the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the United States.
Ismail’s trip to Baghdad came after an official invitation from General Michael Kurilla, Commander of US Central Command. His agenda was focused and urgent—ensure financial relief for Peshmerga forces and reinforce military ties with the U.S.-led coalition.
During his visit, Minister Ismail met with Iraq’s President Latif Rashid at the Republican Palace. The two leaders discussed Iraq’s current security landscape and the coordination between the Iraqi Army and the Peshmerga Ministry. However, the Peshmerga salary crisis dominated the conversation.
Ismail emphasized the financial distress facing Kurdish public employees and security forces. “Peshmerga soldiers are showing enormous resilience,” he said. “Despite hardship, they continue to secure Kurdistan and preserve regional peace.”
He urged Baghdad to swiftly implement the financial provisions of the Erbil-Baghdad agreement. The Minister expressed confidence that mutual cooperation could lead to a permanent solution. “The agreement must move forward immediately,” he insisted.
Later, Minister Ismail participated in a high-profile change-of-command ceremony for U.S. and Coalition forces in Iraq and Syria. He praised outgoing commander General Kevin Leahy for his unwavering support of the Kurdish military. Leahy had provided critical guidance and assistance throughout his tenure.
Ismail and senior Peshmerga officials also met Brigadier General Kevin Lambert, Leahy’s successor. They reaffirmed their dedication to strategic military reform and requested continued U.S. backing. According to the Minister, U.S. support remains vital for strengthening the Ministry’s long-term capabilities.
Throughout the day, the Minister visited several other offices, including the KRG’s Baghdad representation and the Joint Operations Command. These visits focused on a few urgent matters: coordinating on security, countering ISIS activity, and resolving the ongoing Peshmerga salary crisis.
The meetings reinforced a central theme—Kurdistan’s Peshmerga forces continue to serve with loyalty and courage, despite severe financial setbacks. The KRG now looks to Baghdad and Washington for decisive action and renewed partnership.