Berlin, Erbil vow to continue the fight against ISIS

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region—Kurdish president and German defense minister vowed to continue the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS) in the region, the two top officials said in a joint press conference in Erbil.

“It is an honor that our people and Peshmerga have defeated the ISIS militants,” said Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani.

Barzani told reporters Sunday that the Kurdistan Region has started the process of unifying the Peshmerga forces into a united national army, while he thanked German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen for her country’s support for the Kurds in the ISIS fight.

“Weapons provided by Germany and their trainers have been very effective,” said Barzani.

For her part von der Leyen pledged more arms and training for the Kurdish forces, saying that Germany “will send 100 military trainers and advisors to assist the Peshmerga” in their fight against the radical group.

“The longer the IS remains strong and attractive, the more the rising threat to us at home," said von der Leyen in a press conference prior to her visit to Erbil.

Von der Leyen said the attacks in Paris showed that terror was spreading and that “the fight against terrorism unites us all.”

The Germany Defense Minister said that the international coalition together with the Kurdish and Iraqi forces will fight to stop the ISIS terrorism.

Germany trained a number of Peshmerga soldiers last year and provided guided anti-tank Milan missiles that have been effective in holding back ISIS attacks in recent weeks.

Kurdistan Region’s Peshmerga ministry is to open a training camp in Harir near Erbil where German and other foreign military advisors are to work with the Kurdish forces.