Germany Announces More Military Aid To Iraq To Fight IS

  • By RFE/RL's Radio Free Iraq

Germany's Defense Ministry says it is stepping up arms supplies -- including armor-piercing missiles -- to Kurdish Peshmerga fighters battling Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq.

The new aid, announced after a meeting in Berlin between Chancellor Angela Merkel and Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi, is worth 13 million euros ($14.7 million).

Last year, Germany sent 70 million euros ($79.5 million) worth of military aid, including armor-piercing Milan launchers and missiles.

It will now send 30 more launchers and 500 more missiles, along with 203 bazookas, 4,000 more rifles, and 10 Dingo armored vehicles.

Abadi noted that intelligence links with Germany were vital in tracking foreign fighters, among them German nationals now fighting as IS militants.

Abadi, who was later due to attend the Munich Security Conference, added that Iraq needs "continuous support from Germany and all coalition countries" to defeat IS militants.

With additional reporting by dpa