Germany to train Kurdish fighters against Islamic State
Germany to train Kurdish fighters against Islamic State
Kerry seeks Turkey’s support for anti-IS coalition; France ‘ready to step up military assistance’ for Iraq
Germany plans to send 40 military instructors to Iraq, to train Kurdish fighters known as Peshmerga, engaged in a lengthy battle against the jihadist insurgent group Islamic State, Associated Press reported citing German military news website Augen Geradeaus.
Small groups of soldiers will accompany weapon shipments sent to the Kurdish troops in Iraq that will start being sent to Iraq later in September. It was announced late August that Germany will provide the Peshmerga with anti-tank rocket launchers, armored vehicles and small arms such as assault rifles and hand grenades.
Meanwhile, 30 Kurdish fighters will undergo training in southern Germany, training on “more complex weapons systems”.
However, the German government has ruled out taking part in US-led airstrikes against IS who, the US Central Intelligence Agency estimates, now has about about 20,000 to 31,500 fighters on the ground in Iraq and Syria.
The decision not to participate in direct military action against the jihadist movement was announced both by an aide to German head of state, Chancellor Angela Merkel, and the German foreign minister.
Meanwhile, while on a visit to Iraqi capital Baghdad, French President Francois Hollande said that France is ready to step up military assistance for Iraq.
It was the highest-profile visit to Iraq since militants led by the Islamic State (IS) overran large parts of the country in June and sparked international concern over an expanding jihadist threat.
Hollande touched down hours after Washington secured the support of 10 Arab states to help stamp out IS.
France, which hosts an international conference on Iraq on Monday, said it is prepared to take part in air strikes against the militants in Iraq “if necessary”.
“I came here to Baghdad to state France’s availability in providing even more military assistance to Iraq,” Hollande said at a joint news conference with Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi, whose cabinet was approved by parliament this week with key security posts unfilled.
Hollande said after meeting President Fuad Masum that “it is an honor to be the first head of state here since this government was formed,” and assured him “of France’s support and solidarity”.
Kerry attempts to gain Turkey’s support against IS
As the United States is still making effort to construct a wide coalition against Islamic State, US Secretary of State Kerry was in Ankara on Friday after Turkey refused to allow its air bases to be used in the campaign or to participate in combat.
The top US diplomat, touring the Middle East to establish a coalition of more than 40 countries, is to meet with Turkey’s leaders including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for talks on measures to defeat the militants in Iraq and Syria.
Turkey, a NATO member and Washington’s key ally in the region, is reluctant to take part in combat operations against Islamic State militants, or allow a US-led coalition to attack jihadists from its territory.
On the eve of the visit, a Turkish official told AFP: “Our hands and arms are tied because of the hostages.”
The official added that Turkey will “not be involved in any armed operation but will entirely concentrate on humanitarian operations.”
IS militants hold 49 Turks hostage, including diplomats and children, abducted from the Turkish consulate in Mosul in Iraq in June.
Germany bans pro-IS activities
In another move against the increasingly discussed threat posed by Islamic State, Germany also said Friday it had prohibited activities in support of the Islamic State, warning the “terrorist” group operating in Iraq and Syria also posed a threat to Europe.
Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said the immediate ban included the recruitment of jihadist fighters, the public display of Islamic State (IS) symbols and signs and social media propaganda.
“Germany is a well-fortified democracy, there’s no place here for a terrorist organisation which opposes the constitutional order as well as the notion of international understanding,” he said in a statement.
“Today’s ban is directed solely against terrorists who abuse religion for their criminal goals.”
The move, which had been called for by lawmakers from different parties, covers all participation in the group on German soil, including via social media, to support or promote the group at demonstrations or by trying to gather fighters or funding.
IS is also active in Germany in terms of “propaganda and agitating” on the Internet and “specifically courts supporters in the German language”, the minister said.
De Maiziere also reiterated concern over an estimated 400 German nationals who have travelled to Iraq and Syria to fight on the side of the jihadists.
“We must prevent radical Islamists bringing their jihad to our cities,” he said.
Chancellor Angela Merkel defended the move to break with a post-war policy of refusing to send weapons into conflict zones by saying Europe’s own security was at stake.
“The enormous suffering of many people cries to the heavens and our own security interests are threatened,” Merkel said in a September 1 speech.
(with AFP)
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