2.3. Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) authorities

COMMON ANALYSIS
Last update: November 2024

The KRG authorities comprise both the Kurdish security forces and non-armed actors. In the KRI, the Peshmerga, the municipal police and the Asayish (intelligence agency) are the main security actors of the KRG. Approximately 54 000 Peshmerga form units commanded by the KRG Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs, while the larger force, about 100 000 troops, serve in units directly controlled by either the KDP or the PUK. The Peshmerga are also partly being deployed outside the KRI, in the disputed territories. 

Kurdish security forces continued to carry out anti-ISIL operations independently as well as in coordination with the ISF. Some armed clashes between the Peshmerga and the ISF over disputed territories were still reported. 

The KRG forces have been accused of committing a wide range of human right violations such as arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, torture and other forms of ill-treatment of individuals with perceived ISIL affiliation (see 3.1.1. Individuals with perceived ISIL affiliation). There were also reports of discrimination and harassment by the KRG of certain ethnic minorities (see  3.10. Religious and ethnic minorities) as well as reports of arbitrary detention of political opponents and journalists and violent suppression of demonstrations (see 3.3. Human rights and political opposition activists, protesters and other perceived critics of the authorities and 3.4. Journalists and media workers).