Peshmerga is the term used by Kurds to refer to freedom fighters. Literally meaning "those who face death" the peshmerga forces of Kurdistan have been around since the advent of the Kurdish independence movement in the early 1920s, following the collapse of the Ottoman and Qajar empires which had jointly ruled over the area known today as Kurdistan.

Peshmerga forces are often affiliated to prominent personalities such as Sheikh Mahmud or are affiliated to political parties such as the PUK, KDP and PKK. The peshmerga forces are currently involved in a dispute with the military forces of Turkey. This conflict has resulted in 37,000 deaths since its advent in 1984.

Peshmerga forces fought side by side with American troops in the 2003 Iraq War in Northern Iraq. Since that time the Peshmerga have assumed a role in the security of the Kurdish areas of Northern Iraq.

In early 2005 it was speculated by Newsweek magazine that Peshmerga forces could be trained by the US to take on an Sunni rebels in Iraq.

It is estimated that as of January, 2005 there were 80,000 Peshmerga fighters in Northern Iraq. A February 2005 The_New_York_Times article mentioned that Massoud_Barzani wants to retain the Peshmerga forces. The article estimates their number to be 100,000.

Peshmerga forces often wear traditional Kurdish garbs, e.g baggy trousers known as Sharwall and a plain jacket, with colourful sashes.

External Links

Newsweek article speculating on Peshmerga involvement against the Iraqi rebellion

The New York Times article about the current status of Peshmerga