Kurds rate reduces within Iraqi Army

Erbil (IraqiNews.com) The Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs in Kurdistan Regional Government revealed that “The rate of Kurdish elements within the Federal Iraqi Army forces reduced to 4% during 2012.”

The Secretary General of the Ministry and the Official spokesperson of the General Command of the Kurdistan Regional Protection Forces, Jabber Yawer, reported in statement received by IraqiNews.com on Thursday that ”The statistics indicate that the Kurdish rate within the Iraqi Army was 8% in 2007 and this rate has reduced to 4% during this year,” noting that “This rate has reduced because the Kurds could not participate in the Iraqi Army for many reasons,” without identifying these reasons.

The statement added that ”The Kurdistan Regional Government can not force the Kurd citizens to serve in the military duty as the former regime.”

Yawer pointed out that ”Two military units were decided to be formed in 2007 but the units were not started yet,” noting that “When these units will be formed about 30,000 soldiers will be recruited within the Iraqi Army.”