2nd Support Forces Command

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2nd Support Forces Command
هێزەکانی پشتیوانی دووەم
romanized: Hêzekanî Piştîwanî Dûwem
Emblem of the 2SFC
Active2003–present
Country Iraq
Allegiance Kurdistan Regional Government
BranchPeshmerga
TypeCombat support
RoleArtillery support, Combat engineering, Air defense
Size< 10,000
Part of Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs
Colors  Green
WebsiteOfficial X account
Commanders
Current CommanderMaj. Gen. Mariwan Muhammed Amin[1]
Deputy CommanderMaj. Gen. Hawraman Ahmed Mohammed[2]

The 2nd Support Forces Command (Kurdish: هێزەکانی پشتیوانی دووەم, romanized: Hêzekanî Piştîwanî Dûwem, 2SFC) or 2nd Support Forces is a combat support unit of the Peshmerga, the military forces of the Kurdistan Region. The unit operates under the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs (MoPA) and specializes in support functions such as artillery, heavy artillery, air defense, mobility assets, anti-tank measures, maintenance and engineering for the Regional Guard Brigades (RGB).[3][4][5]

History

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Historically, the 2nd Support Forces belonged to the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan's (PUK) Peshmerga, operating specifically within the 70 Unit.[6] However, in response to ongoing reform efforts within the Kurdistan Region's military sector, the unit was integrated into the MoPA in June 2021.[3] The unit's integration followed the earlier incorporation of the Kurdistan Democratic Party's (KDP) 1st Support Forces into the MoPA. Accoring to Col. Todd Burroughs, Deputy Director of the US-led coalition's Military Advisor Group North, the "unification of both 1st and 2nd Support Forces Commands under the MoPA is a significant step in the Peshmerga Reform process.”[4][7]

Structure

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The exact size of the force is unclear, but together with the 1st Support Forces, they are estimated to number around 10,000 soldiers.[7]

2nd Support Forces Command

  • 1st Mortar Battalion (Unit 955)[8]
  • 2nd Mortar Battalion (Unit 515)[9]
  • Field Artillery Battalion (Unit 121)
    • Womens Artillery Battery[10]
  • 107mm MLRS Artillery Battalion (Unit 101)[11]
  • 1st 122mm MLRS Artillery Battalion (Unit 106)[12]
  • 2nd 122mm MLRS Artillery Battalion (Unit 757)[13]
  • 105mm Artillery Battalion (Unit 118)[14]
  • Defence and Tasks Regiment (Unit 103)[15]
  • Armored Battalion (Unit 104)[16]
  • Transportation and Logistics Battalion (Unit 105)[17]
  • Combat Engineering Battalion (Unit 545)[18]
  • Mechanised Infantry Battalion (Unit 616)[19]
  • Tank Battalion (Unit 617)[20][21]
  • 1st AA Artillery Battalion (Unit 888)[8]
  • Special Forces Unit[22]
    • Tactical Company[23]

Capabilities and equipment

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Coalition advisors and Peshmergas of the 2nd Support Forces Command next to a vehicle mounted AA gun

According to the Pentagon's quarterly inspector general report to the U.S. Congress on August 1 2024, the MoPA's artillery capabilities reside within the 1st and 2nd Support Forces Commands. “Both commands have demonstrated proficiency in delivering accurate indirect fires; however, they have not supported combined arms operations since 2017,” the report noted. The report also explains how “Artillery regiments (within the units) hold exercises twice a year with live ammunition, but only in battery and smaller-sized formations that are disconnected from maneuver formations."[24]

The unit employs a wide range of artillery systems, including howitzers and multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS). Following the unit's integration into the MoPA, the United States delivered ammunition and several lightweight 105 mm howitzers to the force,[4][24] a move which was criticised by Mohammed al-Halbousi, the head of the Al-Taqadum Party, as according to him "their (Peshmerga) basic duty is only to maintain internal security within their area of responsibility."[25]

In addition to heavy artillery, the unit is equipped with light mortars, anti-tank self propelled guns, and anti-aircraft weapons such as large and small caliber autocannons designed for air-to-ground operations, some mounted on mechanized vehicles, along with tanks like the T-55.[8][26][27]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "As a part of his ongoing field visits to the units of his command MG.Mariwan Muhammed commander of 2SFC visited unit (414) 2SFC training base to supervise Cobra SF trainings held at the base for peshmergas from units of 2SFC. headquarter". 2SFC via X. 6 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  2. ^ "A delegation of coalition forces visited the 2nd support force headquarter". PUK Media. 2 March 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  3. ^ a b Jangiz, Khazan (22 June 2021). "Heavy artillery unit of PUK joins Peshmerga Ministry". Rudaw. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  4. ^ a b c "Peshmerga unit joining Ministry of Peshmerga receives ammunition". Kurdistan24. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 15 September 2025.
  5. ^ "Peshmerga carried out 7,516 operations against ISIS: Inspector General Report". Kurdistan24. 2022-05-04. Retrieved 2025-09-14.
  6. ^ "Lieutenant Omar: Four 70th Forces Brigades Prepared for Transfer ‌". PUK Media. Archived from the original on 2025-03-01. Retrieved 2025-09-16.
  7. ^ a b Palani, Kamaran (15 September 2022). "Peshmerga Reform: High Stakes for the Future of Iraqi Kurdistan". ISPI. Retrieved 2025-09-15.
  8. ^ a b c "2SFC commander MG.Mariwan muhammed paid a field visit to unit (888) 1sf AAA battalion and unit (955) 1st mortar battalion of our command to inspect the units readinesses". 2SFC via X. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  9. ^ "Annual live fire training of unit (515) 2nd mortar battalion of the 2nd support forces command". 2SFC via X. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  10. ^ "After 2 months of training a womens artillery battery attached to unit (121) field artillery battalion successfuly conducted a live fire training excersise under the supervision of MG.Hawran deputy commander of 2SFC". 2SFC via X. 18 January 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  11. ^ "As a part of his daily inspection on the units of 2FC MG.Mariwan Muhammed commander of 2SFC visited unit (101) 107mm MLRS artillery battalion". 2SFC via X. 15 May 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  12. ^ "Under the supervision of MG.Mariwan, the 2SFC unit (106) 122mm rocket artillery battalion conducted a battery deplyment exercise (Garmian Torch)". 2SFC via X. 23 November 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  13. ^ "Pictured of the 2nd Katyusha Unit (757) during the annual firing". 2SFC via X. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  14. ^ "Wednesday 22/6/2022 under the supervision of major general hawraman deputy commander of the 2nd support forces anual live fire training of unit 118 105mm artillery battalion with ak asault rifles was accomplished". 2SFC via X. 22 June 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  15. ^ "Annual live fire training of unit (103) defence and tasks regiment of the second support forces command". 2SFC via X. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  16. ^ "2nd support forces unit (104) armored battalion training". 2SFC via X. 28 June 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  17. ^ "Folowing MG.Mariwans orders units of the 2nd support forces command continue training and conducting exercises according to the schedule .unit (105) transportation and logistics battalion successfully completed (Garmian Torch) excersice". 2SFC via X. 24 December 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  18. ^ "Ongoing training and exercises of the 3rd company of the combat engineering battalion (unit 545) of the 2nd S.F.C as part of peshmerga reform process". 2SFC via X. 27 July 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  19. ^ "A delegation from the staff college's 8th Staff officer class paid a field visit to 2SFC unit (616) mechanised infantry battalion under the supervision of BRG.Muhsin, deputy dean of the staff college". 2SFC via X. 7 December 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  20. ^ "MG.Mariwan, commander of 2SFC, visited the tank battalion to inspect the tanks and vehicles, as well as their battle readiness, and to listen to the soldiers. During the visit, MG.mariwan congratulated the battalion and wished them continued success". 2SFC via X. 3 November 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  21. ^ "Sunday 19/6/2022 unit 617,under the supervision of brigadier general sirwan amin head of staff of the 2nd support forces command and a number of commanders anual live fire training exercise of the tank battalion was successfully accomplished at the 2nd support forces firing range". 2SFC via X. 20 June 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  22. ^ "2SFC HQ special forces". 2SFC via X. 23 May 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  23. ^ "Ongoing training excersises of the 2SFC tactical company under the supervision of italian special forces instructors in Kurdistan region". 2SFC via X. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  24. ^ a b Wilgenburg, Wladimir van (6 August 2024). "U.S. Provides Artillery Weapons to Peshmerga Forces". Kurdistan Chronicle. Retrieved 2025-09-15.
  25. ^ "Mohammed al-Halbousi lashes out at providing of advanced artillery to Peshmerga forces". Kurd Press. 2024-09-17. Retrieved 2025-09-15.
  26. ^ "In the presence of Lieutenant Colonel Mariwan Mohammed Amin, Commander of Second Support Forces. Our command units successfully fired all heavy and light weapons of the Second Support Forces". 2SFC via X. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
  27. ^ "In the presence of Lieutenant Colonel Mariwan Mohammed Amin, Commander of Second Support Forces. Our command units successfully fired all heavy and light weapons of the Second Support Forces". 2SFC via X. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2025.
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