Germany will arm Peshmerga until IS defeated: Consul General

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Peshmerga forces have proven to be very efficient and disciplined in the fight against the Islamic State (IS), said a German official on Monday.

During an interview with Kurdistan24, the Consul General of Germany in Erbil Marc Eichhorn praised the role of the Kurdish forces in the battle against IS insurgents.

“Germany has always supported and admired the Peshmerga, not only because they are the spirit of the fight against [IS], but also because they have proven to be a very efficient and also a very [disciplined] force,” Eichhorn said.

“This is the very basis for continued support of Germany to the Peshmerga during the fight against [IS] until it comes to hopefully soon end [sic],” Eichhorn added.

Following the emergence of IS in Mosul in June 2014 and the collapse of the Iraqi army, Peshmerga defended over 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) border with the extremist group.

Moreover, the Kurdish forces liberated large swaths of territory with the aerial support of the US-led coalition warplanes.

For its part, Germany has delivered several military shipments to Peshmerga as well as providing military training to the forces in the battle against the insurgent group.

Peshmerga commanders have often highlighted Berlin’s military support, particularly the MILAN missiles Peshmerga use to detonate IS’ vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs).

“It is a new situation for Germany because for the first time since the end of the second world war Germany is delivering military assistance into a combat zone,” the Consul General added.

On Oct. 17, Iraqi and Kurdish Peshmerga forces launched the military operation to retake Mosul, the second-largest city in Iraq under the occupation of IS since mid-2014.

The forces continue their advance inside the city, and the operation is ongoing

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany