German Chancellor Angela Merkel reiterated on 1 September in her speech in/at the special session of the German Bundestag, the humanitarian and military support for the Kurds by the Federal Republic of Germany. A growing number of countries – including Germany – support the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and the Peshmerga security forces in their fight against the extremist group IS. Above all, in order to prevent further atrocities against the religious minorities of Christians and Yazidis.
Germany will also provide the Kurdistan Region with the requested, desperately needed military support in the coming weeks after already sending 150 tons of humanitarian goods to Erbil. Beside protective and communication equipment this support will also include, to a limited extent, the supply of weapons and ammunition to the Kurdish Peshmerga units. The military aid is provided in close coordination with the German partners and the Iraqi central government in Baghdad.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel emphasized: “This decision is far reaching. We have very carefully considered all aspects of foreign and security policy. We had the choice not to take any risk, not to deliver, and to ultimately accept the spread of terrorism, or to support those who are fighting desperately, but courageously against the cruel ISIS-terror with the most limited resources.”
Please find below the passage of the speech of Chancellor Angela Merkel
Excerpts of the speech of Chancellor Angela Merkel to the special session of the German Bundestag
“In recent weeks we have witnessed incredible atrocities of a terrorist group under the name “Islamic State ” in Iraq and Syria. Marauding, plundering, murdering, their heavily armed militias in Iraq have advanced to the vicinity of Baghdad and finally to the threshold of the Kurdish autonomous region in northern Iraq. The cruelly eradicate Anything that does not reflect their world view”Particularly dramatic is the threat to religious minorities in Iraq. […] However, not only are the minorities threatened, but also Shiite Muslims and Sunnis, who oppose this terrorism. ”
“About 1 million people are now fleeing from the terror. Hundreds of thousands have found shelter in the Kurdish north of Iraq, but also in parts of Syria and Turkey. The Kurdish Regional Government reaches with the huge number of refugees to its limits. It lacks everything. There is a lack shelter, food, medical care. There is the threat of a humanitarian disaster. ”
“The UN Security Council has passed a resolution on August 15, 2014. It denounces the terrorist group ISIS, condemned their acts of violence in the strongest terms and provides for measures to combat it. In the special meeting of EU foreign ministers which was convened by Germany, support for the Kurdish forces in the fight against the terrorist group ISIS by individual Member States was welcomed. ”
“For the federal government it is clear: First of all the plight of hundreds of thousands of refugees must be alleviated … more than 150 tons of relief supplies were already flown out by the German armed forces to Arbil in northern Iraq. We currently have spent around 50 million euros in total for humanitarian aid and new further commitments. ”
“Together with the units of the Iraqi Army and the United States, the Peschmerga try to prevent further advances of the terrorist group ISIS. We can be thankful for that. They face high risks in order to achieve something that is also in our interest. ”
“Just as some of our EU partners, the federal government decided at the request of the Kurdish Regional Government, and with the approval of the Iraqi central government, to take additional comprehensive help.”
“There is an urgent need for military equipment such as body armor, helmets and radios. That’s what we take care of , and we are also willing to provide weapons and ammunition to a limited extent and in close coordination with our partners, the armed forces of the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan for the fight against terrorism ISIS militia. […] The delivery to the armed forces of the autonomous region of Iraqi Kurdistan occurs in consent with the Iraqi central government. ”
“This decision is far reaching. We have very carefully weighed the decision and thereby illuminated all aspects of foreign and security policy. We had the choice not to take any risk, not to deliver and to accept the spread of terrorism, or to support those who are fighting desperately, but boldly with the most limited resources against the cruel ISIS-terror. ”
“Irak is in need of a process of reconciliation. The marginalization of large parts of the population, particularly the Sunnis, has to come to an end. The disappointed Sunni tribes, just as other groups including the Kurds, need to receive an appropriate position in the state and community. Extremism has to be counteracted at its roots. It is also crucial to adhere to rights which are guaranteed by the constitution, as those given to the Kurdish Regional Government.”
The full broadcast of the special session of the German Bundestag can be found here.
(Source video and transcript: German Bundestag)