Khamis Al-Khanjar rebukes Al-Halbousi over comments on Peshmerga arms deliveries

BAGHDAD — Khamis Al-Khanjar, leader of the Al Siyada Party, Iraq’s second-largest Sunni political force after Taqaddum, praised the Kurdistan Region for its humanitarian support of displaced Sunni Arabs during the 2014 crisis. His comments are widely seen as a rebuttal to recent remarks by his rival, Mohammed Al-Halbousi, leader of the Taqaddum Party, who criticized the arming of Kurdish Peshmerga by coalition forces.

“We remember how our brothers in the Kurdistan Region welcomed millions of Sunni Arabs who were displaced by terrorism and military operations,” Al-Khanjar said on X, formerly Twitter. He commended the Kurdish people for their “brotherly and humanitarian” support during Iraq’s displacement crisis, calling for recognition of their role.

Al-Khanjar also noted that political interests should not overshadow solidarity. “Narrow political calculations and party benefits should not outweigh moral values and honourable stances,” he said.

Between 2014 and 2017, six million Iraqis were displaced due to ISIS and subsequent military operations. According to the International Organization for Migration, more than one million Iraqis remain displaced, with many residing in camps in the Kurdistan Region.

On Sept. 15, Al-Halbousi sparked controversy by stating, “We categorically reject the arming of local forces, whose constitutional duty is limited to maintaining internal security within their areas of responsibility, with advanced heavy artillery.” He warned that such actions “could undermine national social security, particularly in Nineveh and Kirkuk,” suggesting the weapons could exacerbate “ethnic or partisan conflicts.” Al-Halbousi argued that such arms should only be held by the Iraqi army, whose capabilities should be strengthened.

Though Al-Halbousi did not directly name the Peshmerga, his comments were widely interpreted as a critique of the Kurdish military force, particularly given that parts of Nineveh and Kirkuk are disputed territories between Baghdad and Erbil.

The remarks followed an Aug. 6 delivery of heavy weaponry, including artillery, to the Peshmerga from the United States and coalition forces. Peshmerga Minister Shoresh Ismail called the delivery a “historic day” and thanked Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani for his role in securing the weapons.

Al-Halbousi’s statements have sparked criticism from Kurdish officials. Ali Hussein, a member of the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s Political Bureau, accused Al-Halbousi of using the Kurdish issue for political gain. “He has numerous political disputes with the Shiites, and several other Iraqi factions are using Kurdistan as a political bargaining tool for their own ends,” Hussein said.

Hussein emphasized the Peshmerga’s role in Iraq’s defense, particularly during the fight against ISIS. “The Peshmerga even protected Baghdad before the establishment of the Iraqi state,” he added.