09-01-2010
Erbil - A source from the Ministry of Peshmarga Affairs told Rudaw that the ministry is planning to form four Kurdish brigades to deploy in the disputed areas. "The expenses of the brigades will be paid… from the region's (share of the Iraqi) budget," the source said. Asked about the long standing problem of Peshmarga salaries between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Central Government in Baghdad, the source said that Baghdad insists that Peshmarga forces must be under the control of the Ministry of Defense. He said that the Iraqi authorities say that they will pay the salaries of Peshmarga forces if Kurds accept that condition. The ministry of Peshmarga Affairs said that the Kurdish authorities might accept Baghdad's condition because of paying the salaries of the Peshmarga is a burden on the regions budget. There are around 80,000 Peshmarga forces in Iraqi Kurdistan (Photo: Rudaw).
