German Foreign Minister: Sinjar success is the biggest against Islamic State

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (K24) – In a press conference that was held in Baghdad on Monday, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier stated that the current military operation in liberating Sinjar Town has been the biggest progress in defeating the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq.

Following his meetings with Iraqi President Fuad Masum, Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar Abadi, and Foreign Minister of Iraq Ibrahim al-Jaafari, Steinmeier held a press conference with al-Jaafari in Baghdad.

Steinmeier stated that the military operation in freeing Sinjar Town [located in Northern Iraq] is the biggest progress achieved in defeating the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq.

He mentioned that the military and humanitarian aid would increase to Iraq, especially after the German parliament approved to let German forces launch military operations outside of the country.

Steinmeier noted that besides their humanitarian aid through the United Nations agencies, Germany will provide 70 million Euro’s worth of aid to the refugees and internally displaced people.

Before the press conference, Steinmeier met Iraqi President Fuad Masum in Baghdad. In the meeting, Masum praised the support of Germany to Iraq. He hoped that the bilateral relations between Germany and Iraq would improve in all aspects.

Based on the statement released by the Iraqi presidency on Monday, both discussed many subjects, including the current progress in fighting jihadists, international efforts in destroying IS, and drying out the financial sources of IS.

Masum mentioned that the ethnic and religious components of Iraq should be united regardless to their background to defeat IS.  He noted that the Iraqi government attempts to promote social harmony and reconstruct the destroyed areas of IS war to encourage displaced people to return to their houses.

Steinmeier stressed the support of Germany for Iraq, and that Germany will continue aiding the country and increase its support to a higher level in all aspects. He touched the current successes on IS, especially the liberation of Sinjar Town in Northern Iraq by the Kurdish Peshmerga forces.

He said that Germany aims to increase its support for Iraq, especially regarding infrastructure and reconstructing some hospitals in the recently liberated areas to motivate people to come back to their areas.

Steinmeier expressed Germany's support to ease political tensions and social stability in Iraq. He praised Masum's attempts in supporting current political and administration reforms in the country, stating it is a necessary duty to be done to establish a modern administration.