US plans to cut off military aid to key Middle East ally, BBC told

The U.S. government is preparing to terminate military aid to a vital Middle East ally, according to four undisclosed sources with knowledge of internal deliberations. The ally in question is the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), whose security forces, known as the Peshmerga, played a pivotal role in defeating the Islamic State group (IS). The decision comes as the KRG faces intensified attacks from Iran, which has launched numerous missile and drone strikes into Iraqi Kurdistan. Recent meetings between U.S. defense officials and KRG leadership revealed that the Department of Defense does not intend to renew an expiring agreement that provides security assistance to the Peshmerga. This agreement, originally signed in 2016 and extended in 2022, is due to expire on 30 September. The move coincides with the planned withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, marking the formal end of the international military campaign against IS. The last U.S. military base in the country, located in Irbil, will close next month after coalition forces depart. Two officials who took part in these discussions and three additional sources confirmed the decision. They described the talks under conditions of anonymity, citing the sensitivity of the information. Kurdish officials fear that ending the financial support will create a power vacuum, potentially allowing Iran to gain influence over the region. Since President Donald Trump initiated hostilities with Tehran, Iran has launched hundreds of missile and drone attacks into Iraqi Kurdistan, with 158 such incidents recorded by late May, according to research from the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Analysts warn that severing ties with the Peshmerga could damage long-standing trust between the U.S. and its regional partners. Yerevan Saeed, director of the Global Kurdish Initiative for Peace at American University, expressed concern over the potential consequences. “This is going to be a big win for Iran, China, and Russia if the Kurds are left so exposed,” he stated. Under his second presidential term, Trump has emphasized reducing U.S. involvement in global conflicts, including those in the Middle East. His administration’s approach has led to increased tensions with Iran, which continues to escalate its actions against U.S. interests. The decision to withdraw from Iraq aligns with this strategy, though it raises questions about the future of regional stability. The Pentagon’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal initially called for an end to all security aid to the Peshmerga, arguing that the funds should be redirected following the defeat of IS. However, the budget proposal remains pending due to ongoing disputes within Congress. Despite these delays, Kurdish officials had hoped for an extension of the current agreement. Their concerns have deepened as Iran intensifies its attacks, making the need for continued support more urgent. While the Pentagon has not yet made a final determination, internal discussions suggest that the U.S. is exploring alternative methods to provide limited security support. These considerations include maintaining some level of engagement in both Iraq and the Kurdish region. A final decision on the matter is expected to be announced shortly, pending further review and consultation. The outcome will likely shape the balance of power in the region and determine whether the U.S. can continue to support its allies amidst growing geopolitical challenges.