Germany and Sweden to Send Troops and Increase Aid to Kurds Battling ISIS

The German and Swedish governments have announced plans to increase military aid to Kurdish forces battling Islamic State in Iraq. During a press conference in Baghdad, German defence minister, Ursula Von Der Leyen said: “I believe it’s right to extend our support with great care,” adding, “we know that the Peshmerga [Kurdish fighters] aren’t just fighting for their own country but for all of us.” Germany is expected to send 100 military trainers to the Kurdistan region, after a vote in favour of the move last December.

According to the American institute for Contemporary German Studies¸ Germany has already equipped Kurdish troops in northern Iraq with over 8,000 pistols, 8,000 Assault Rifles, 10,000 hand grenades and over 200 anti-tank weapons.

Over the weekend, Sweden’s Foreign Minister, Margot Wallström also announced she hoped her country would send military personnel to Iraq to help train soldiers. Wallström spoke to European news outlet the Local saying: “The government is now looking into the possibility of proposing to the Riksdag that Swedish military personnel be sent to Erbil, Iraq, to help train troops fighting [ISIS].” Although she added that “this isn’t about sending combat personnel”.