A cargo plane carrying the first delivery of high-tech German weapons
arrived in Erbil today, ready to boost Kurdish Peshmerga forces in the
fight against Islamic State militants.
"We assure you that we are beside you to tackle this crisis," German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen told Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Massoud Barzani at a press conference.
“It is clear that a lot of support has arrived but more is needed,” she added.
The minister landed in Erbil shortly after a plane full of German-made military goods, a second tranche that is designed to outfit a 4,000 soldier brigade. The first delivery of non-lethal goods arrived earlier this month.
The plane's cargo includes 520 G3 assault rifles, 20 heavy machine guns, 50 anti-tank rockets, protective eyewear, and medical equipment. Subsequent deliveries are expected in October, with the total value estimated at $89 million.
The weapons are part of an international effort to equip and train an under-armed Peshmerga force which found itself outgunned by Islamic State (IS or ISIS) forces, particularly before the United States intervened in the conflict with airstrikes that began last month.
Read more: German Weapons Arrive in Erbil, With Minister in Tow
"We assure you that we are beside you to tackle this crisis," German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen told Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Massoud Barzani at a press conference.
“It is clear that a lot of support has arrived but more is needed,” she added.
The minister landed in Erbil shortly after a plane full of German-made military goods, a second tranche that is designed to outfit a 4,000 soldier brigade. The first delivery of non-lethal goods arrived earlier this month.
The plane's cargo includes 520 G3 assault rifles, 20 heavy machine guns, 50 anti-tank rockets, protective eyewear, and medical equipment. Subsequent deliveries are expected in October, with the total value estimated at $89 million.
The weapons are part of an international effort to equip and train an under-armed Peshmerga force which found itself outgunned by Islamic State (IS or ISIS) forces, particularly before the United States intervened in the conflict with airstrikes that began last month.
Read more: German Weapons Arrive in Erbil, With Minister in Tow
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