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Peshmerga general: Kurdish fighters need helicopter cover

Brig. Gen. Hazhar with the Peshmerga Ministry said that Kurdish forces need better aerial support during operations against Islamic State militants.

By JC Finley
A Kurdish Peshmerga soldier takes up position in Makhmur town, northwest of Erbil, Kurdistan region, Iraq, to fight Islamic State militants. (UPI/Mohammed al Jumaily)
1 of 2 | A Kurdish Peshmerga soldier takes up position in Makhmur town, northwest of Erbil, Kurdistan region, Iraq, to fight Islamic State militants. (UPI/Mohammed al Jumaily) | License Photo

ERBIL, Iraq, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- Kurdish Peshmerga forces need more military equipment and aerial assistance as they battle Islamic State militants in Iraq.

That was the plea of Brig. Gen. Hazhar with the Peshmerga Ministry in the Kurdish capital of Erbil.

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Hazhar told CNN that Peshmega forces need better aerial support during operations against IS militants, and that helicopters would provide them better cover.

Peshmerga forces are also woefully under-funded, citing a mandate that requires approval for budget, weapons and training to be provided by Baghdad. The Peshmerga, he said, "have not received one dollar from Iraq, even though Parliament has approved funds."

When IS began its lightning offensive to seize key Iraqi cities this past summer, the Peshmerga stepped in as Iraq's more reliable fighting force following widespread reports of Iraq's security forces abandoning posts and failing to repel the terrorist attacks.

"We are not confident in the Iraqi army," said Hazhar.

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