The Evolution of the Peshmerga vs. the Case of Islamic State in Iraq

... entangled with the ultimate goal of independence. This goal is now finding expression in a range of constitutionally recognized modes, from decentralization to autonomy, and from federalism to potential confederal modes of governance. Presently the Kurdistan Region has sustained around 1,529 “martyrs” (شُهَدَاء) as well as 8,977 wounded and 62 peshmerga lost in the fighting against IS [ 9 ]. The emergence of IS as a factor in the formulation of regional policies changed the way the Kurds were hitherto fighting but also upgraded their role into an international force. The gradual evolution of peshmerga forces from an irregular to a regular army was confirmed after 2014 and the IS onslaught which began in Syria and subsequently expanded ...