US plans to cut off military aid to key Middle East ally, BBC told
Summary
The Trump administration plans to stop military aid to the Kurdish forces in Iraq, known as the Peshmerga, after their current agreement ends on September 30. This decision comes as Iran increases missile and drone attacks on Iraqi Kurdistan, raising concerns about regional security and US support for its allies.Key Facts
- The US will not renew the security assistance agreement with the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), ending military aid to the Peshmerga forces.
- The Peshmerga helped the US defeat the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.
- The aid cut is tied to the expiration of a memorandum of understanding on September 30, the same day US troops will withdraw from Iraq.
- Iran and Iranian-backed militias have launched over 150 missile or drone attacks on Iraqi Kurdistan in recent months.
- The Pentagon had proposed cutting the Peshmerga’s aid in its 2027 budget, citing that IS was defeated.
- The Peshmerga has about 180,000 troops and received $61 million in 2026 for weapons, training, and pay.
- Kurdish officials worry that ending US aid will create a security gap and strengthen Iran’s influence in the region.
- The final decision on US security support to the Kurds is still under review, with some options being considered.
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