The 1st Support Forces Command (Kurdish: هێزەکانی پشتیوانی یەک, romanized: Hêzekanî Piştîwanî Yek, SFC) or First Support Forces is a unit of the Peshmerga, the military forces of the Kurdistan Region. The unit is part of the Ministry of Peshmerga and focuses on support roles, including artillery and officer training.
| 1st Support Forces Command | |
|---|---|
| هێزەکانی پشتیوانی یەکەم | |
 | |
| Active | 2003–present |
| Country |  Iraq |
| Allegiance | Kurdistan Regional Government |
| Branch | Peshmerga |
| Type | Support unit |
| Role | Artillery and training support |
| Part of | Ministry of Peshmerga[1] |
| Colors | Green |
| Engagements | |
| Website | Official X account |
| Commanders | |
| Commander | Lt. Gen. Sihad Barzani |
The First Support Forces were established as part of structural reforms to professionalize the Peshmerga.[3] The unit has organized training programs and graduation ceremonies for newly recruited members and other Peshmerga unites.[4] The force is closely linked to the Kurdistan Democratic Party but is formally under the Ministry of Peshmerga of the Kurdistan Regional Government.[5]
Training and activities
editThe Support Forces Command plays an important role in the defense structure of the Kurdistan Region. Through regular artillery training courses, the unit reflects the ongoing modernization of the Peshmerga and its cooperation with international coalition partners in military education and preparation.[6]
In 2022, the forces held their fourth artillery training graduation as part of ongoing efforts to improve artillery capacity within the Peshmerga.[7]
On 31 January 2025, the seventh infantry training and discipline course under the supervision of Lt. Gen. Sihad Barzani, was completed. Each course has included between 250 and 600 Peshmerga participants, with coalition commanders overseeing the training.[8]
The U.S. Consulate General in Erbil announced the delivery of several lightweight 105 mm howitzers to the First and Second Support Forces. During the handover ceremony, Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs Chief of Staff Issa Ozer emphasized that the Peshmerga still require support from the U.S.-led coalition in weapons, logistics, and training.[9][10]
Command
editThe First Support Forces are commanded by Lt. Gen. Sihad Barzani, who has overseen training and organizational development.[11][12]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "ئەمریکا ژمارەیەک چەکی قورسی ڕادەستی هێزی پێشمەرگە کرد". www.kdp.info (in Kurdish). Kurdistan TV. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ "هێزی پشتیوانی یەک لە ٢ مانگدا ٣ هەزار بۆمبی پووچەڵ كردووەتەوە". www.wishe.net (in Kurdish). Wişe. 1 March 2017. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ "Peshmerga First Support Forces holds graduation ceremony". Kurdistan 24. 11 July 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
- ^ "Heavy artillery unit of PUK joins Peshmerga Ministry". Rudaw. 22 June 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
- ^ Palani, Kamaran (15 September 2022). "Peshmerga Reform: High Stakes for the Future of Iraqi Kurdistan". ISPI. Institute for International Political Studies. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
- ^ "Kurdistan's Support Forces Command concludes 6th artillery officers training course under Lt. Gen. Sihad Barzani". Kurdistan24. 6 February 2024. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
- ^ "فەرماندەیی هێزەکانی پشتیوانی یەک خولی چوارەمی بنەڕەتی بە کۆتا هێنا" (in Kurdish). Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs. December 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
- ^ Hassan, Kurdistan (31 January 2025). "حەوتەمین خولی پیادەی هێزەکانی پشتیوانی یەک کۆتاییھات". www.ava.news (in Kurdish). AVA Media. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ "فەرماندەی هێزەکانی پشتیوانی یەک پێشوازی لە تیمێکی هاوپەیمانان کرد". Kurdistanbas.com (in Kurdish). Kurdistan Bas. 2025-02-15. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ "Minister of Peshmerga Affairs Visits First Support Forces Command". kurdistanchronicle.com. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
- ^ "هێزەکانی پشتیوانی یەک و دوو ده‌خرێنه سه‌ر وه‌زاره‌تی پێشمه‌رگه". Kurdistan TV (in Kurdish). 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
- ^ "کاروانی از تسلیحات سنگین جنگی از نیروهای ائتلاف دریافت خواهیم کرد". kurdpress (in Persian). 2023-06-22. Retrieved 2025-08-16.