President Nechirvan Barzani on Thursday attended the 30th graduation ceremony at Military College No. 2 in Zakho. The event marked the graduation of 359 new officers who joined the Ministry of Peshmerga.
Senior government officials and military commanders also attended the ceremony, held on May 14, 2026. The graduates completed nine months of academic and military training before receiving their official ranks.
During his speech, President Barzani congratulated the graduates and described the occasion as a proud day for Kurdistan. He said the new officers represent loyalty, commitment, and readiness to defend the Kurdistan Region.
President Nechirvan Barzani also highlighted the historic role of the Peshmerga in protecting Kurdistan and defeating ISIS. He praised the sacrifices made by Peshmerga fighters under the leadership of Masoud Barzani.
He stated that the Peshmerga defended Kurdistan with courage and prevented ISIS militants from capturing the region. In another part of his speech, President Barzani expressed concern over delays in the unification of the Peshmerga forces. He stressed that the people of Kurdistan have long awaited a unified national Peshmerga force.
He also called for stronger political will to move the reform process forward and keep the Peshmerga away from political disputes. Furthermore, President Barzani thanked the international coalition, especially the United States, for supporting the Peshmerga during the war against ISIS. He also praised coalition support for the ongoing reform process within the Ministry of Peshmerga.
The Kurdistan Region president urged Baghdad to fulfill its constitutional responsibilities toward the Peshmerga as part of Iraq’s defense system. At the end of the ceremony, President Barzani addressed the graduates directly. He encouraged them to respect military discipline, national values, and justice while serving all citizens equally.
Military College No. 2 in Zakho remains one of the Kurdistan Region’s leading military institutions. The academy graduates hundreds of officers every year through modern military training programs.