Barzani says Peshmerga arms symbolize history and sacrifice

ERBIL, Iraq — Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani said comments about the Peshmerga Forces’ weapons in Erbil were being judged wrongly because of recent unusual political conditions. In a message posted on X on Wednesday, he said the Peshmerga cannot be seen only as a weapon or military tool. Barzani said the force emerged from the “blood, labor and tears” of the people of the Kurdistan region. He said the Peshmerga weapon represents history, sacrifice, honor and belief. Before Masoud Barzani’s remarks, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani said on May 14 that coordination between the Peshmerga and the Iraqi army in counterterrorism should continue. He also said the Peshmerga was not a threat to Iraq, but a force assigned to defend the country.