ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Germany is sending thousands of assault rifles, ammunition and 200 anti-tank missiles for the Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga forces, the German Der Spiegel reported on its website.
It reported that Germany is set to deliver around 4,000 more G-36 assault rifles, six million rounds of ammunition and 200 Milan anti-tank missiles. At least five “Dingo” armored personnel carriers are also part of the package.
Germany has been very supportive of the Kurdistan Region in its fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) since August 2014 when the militants attacked the Kurdish capital, Erbil.
Since then, Germany has been among the few Western countries sending direct arms supplies to the Peshmerga, instead of through the central government in Baghdad.
Additional anti-tank missiles will likely be welcomed by the Peshmerga, who have been holding a very lengthy front line against ISIS.
On Wednesday, ISIS attacked the Peshmerga front in a three-pronged assault lasting 17 hours.
Weapons like the Milan missiles are especially needed by the Peshmerga to thwart suicide bombings by ISIS that are often launched with vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED), which are often armored and hard to stop small arms alone.
German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen told Germany's Bild newspaper on Friday that "the Peshmerga perfectly know how to handle weapons they get from Germany." She said they "have shown themselves as a successful and effective ground force against the barbaric ISIS."
It reported that Germany is set to deliver around 4,000 more G-36 assault rifles, six million rounds of ammunition and 200 Milan anti-tank missiles. At least five “Dingo” armored personnel carriers are also part of the package.
Germany has been very supportive of the Kurdistan Region in its fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) since August 2014 when the militants attacked the Kurdish capital, Erbil.
Since then, Germany has been among the few Western countries sending direct arms supplies to the Peshmerga, instead of through the central government in Baghdad.
Additional anti-tank missiles will likely be welcomed by the Peshmerga, who have been holding a very lengthy front line against ISIS.
On Wednesday, ISIS attacked the Peshmerga front in a three-pronged assault lasting 17 hours.
Weapons like the Milan missiles are especially needed by the Peshmerga to thwart suicide bombings by ISIS that are often launched with vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED), which are often armored and hard to stop small arms alone.
German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen told Germany's Bild newspaper on Friday that "the Peshmerga perfectly know how to handle weapons they get from Germany." She said they "have shown themselves as a successful and effective ground force against the barbaric ISIS."
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