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German Weapons Arrive in Erbil, With Minister in Tow
Rudaw ^
| 1 hour ago
| Alexander Whitcomb
Posted on 09/25/2014 8:07:41 AM PDT by GonzoII
German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen and President Massoud Barzani.
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — 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.
IS is in possession of sophisticated military hardware, stolen from the retreating or defeated Iraqi Army and various Syrian forces.
Barzani emphasized the importance of international support, stating "we are fighting ISIS on behalf of the world."
He complained about the quality of the materiel sent so far by international partners, and heartily welcomed the newly-arrived supply. The German defense minister expressed an interest in examining the weapons the Kurds have received thus far.
Seven German soldiers arrived in the semi-autonomous region last week to train Kurdish fighters on how to use MILAN antitank-weapons. Meanwhile, Kurdish officers will be sent to Germany later this month, for further MILAN training.
During her stay, Von der Leyen will meet with other high-ranking defense officials and German officers on the ground.
The visit is the second high-level arrival from Germany in two months. Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier came to the region following the devastating IS offensive against Yezidis and other minorities in early August.
Van den Leyen arrived in Erbil ready to congratulate her partners on their military and humanitarian efforts.
“I am going to convey to the Kurds our absolute respect, and that they are the ones who rose up against ISIS,” she told the German press in anticipation of the visit.
TOPICS: Chit/Chat
KEYWORDS: bootsontheground; europeanunion; germany; iraq; isis; kurdistan; kurds; nato; peshmerga; yazidi; yazidis
.........Chuck, you're fired.
1
posted on
09/25/2014 8:07:41 AM PDT
by
GonzoII
To: All
This mother of seven is a hawk.
2
posted on
09/25/2014 8:12:20 AM PDT
by
GonzoII
("If the new crime be, to believe in God, let us all be criminals" -Sheen)
To: GonzoII
And named Ursula. Offer her chuck’s job.
3
posted on
09/25/2014 8:51:25 AM PDT
by
wally_bert
(There are no winners in a game of losers. I'm Tommy Joyce, welcome to the Oriental Lounge.)
To: GonzoII
4
posted on
09/25/2014 8:52:28 AM PDT
by
Lazamataz
(First we beat the Soviet Union. Then we became them.)
To: Lazamataz
You’ll have to get behind me Laz old boy. Ich machen bumpsen mit diesen frau!
5
posted on
09/25/2014 9:43:08 AM PDT
by
jmacusa
(Liberalism defined: When mom and dad go away for the weekend and the kids are in charge.)
To: GonzoII
Leiber Gott! Dies ist eine schone frau!
6
posted on
09/25/2014 9:43:50 AM PDT
by
jmacusa
(Liberalism defined: When mom and dad go away for the weekend and the kids are in charge.)
To: jmacusa
Trust me, you do NOT want me behind you.
I might hit that.
7
posted on
09/25/2014 9:44:27 AM PDT
by
Lazamataz
(First we beat the Soviet Union. Then we became them.)
To: GonzoII
Did they bring any Tiger tanks with them?
8
posted on
09/25/2014 9:44:27 AM PDT
by
jmacusa
(Liberalism defined: When mom and dad go away for the weekend and the kids are in charge.)
To: Lazamataz
Now see here old boy I think you see someone about this condition of yours. Really. You’re becoming quite the most ungovernable rascal. :-)
9
posted on
09/25/2014 9:48:26 AM PDT
by
jmacusa
(Liberalism defined: When mom and dad go away for the weekend and the kids are in charge.)
To: Lazamataz
10
posted on
09/27/2014 7:16:41 AM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
(He's been outed! He was never even in!)
To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; cardinal4; ColdOne; ...
11
posted on
09/27/2014 7:17:32 AM PDT
by
SunkenCiv
(https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
To: GonzoII
Hmmm, Germans in Erbil...would that make them Gerbils?
12
posted on
09/27/2014 7:18:55 AM PDT
by
eldoradude
(It doesn't matter how many it takes, the lightbulb has already been stolen.)
To: eldoradude
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