SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region — Former Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi has stirred controversy after publicly opposing the arming of the Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga forces with heavy weapons. His remarks have intensified the ongoing debate between senior officials in Baghdad and Erbil.
Halbousi, leader of the Sunni Taqadum party, expressed his stance during a recent television interview, where he reiterated his belief that heavy artillery, tanks, and aircraft should remain solely under the control of the Iraqi army.
He emphasized respect for the Kurdish leadership and the Peshmerga’s sacrifices but stressed that arming the forces beyond what is allowed by the constitution poses significant risks, particularly in conflict-prone areas like Kirkuk and Nineveh, explaining that such weapons could potentially exacerbate tensions in disputed areas.
His comments sparked backlash from Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) officials. KRG spokesperson Peshawa Hawramani responded by calling Halbousi “disloyal,” defending the Peshmerga’s role as a national force committed to Iraq’s security.
The Iraqi Defense Ministry also released a statement affirming the Peshmerga’s loyalty and pointing out that the provision of US 105mm howitzers to the force dates back seven years, predating the current debate.
Hoshyar Zebari, a senior member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), further criticized Halbousi on social media, describing his stane as “a sick mentality.”
