Germany to expand Bundeswehr training mission in Iraq

[Aepsilons]

Good to see the active cooperation of the German Bundeswehr to regional stability.

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Germany is reported to be planning to expand a training mission for Kurdish fighters battling "Islamic State" militants in Iraq. Germany is already supporting the Kurds with weapons and other military equipment.

According to German media reports, the government is planning to ask the Bundestag lower house of parliament for a mandate to send several dozen more Bundeswehr soldiers to train peshmerga fighters in Irbil in northern Iraq. A handful of Bundeswehr troops are already in the country training the Kurds in the use of weapons that Germany has already delivered for use in the fight against "Islamic State" (IS) fighters.

A report published in the mass-circulation "Bild" newspaper cited a draft of the mandate that said the government planned to send around 100 additional Bundeswehr soldiers to Iraq. A "Spiegel Online" report said some of the extra troops could be on their way to the country early in the new year.

While the extra soldiers would be armed, the scope of their mandate is to be strictly limited to training the peshmerga fighters in activities such as demining. Soldiers from other allied nations would be responsible for protecting the base in Irbil where the Germans are to be stationed.

The reports said Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere and Justice Minister Heiko Maas would discuss the proposed mission on the fringes of a cabinet meeting in Berlin on Thursday.

The government is then expected to put the proposal to the Bundestag next Wednesday.

The plan to expand the training activities comes after a German advance team held meeting with officials in Baghdad and Arbil.


Germany to expand Bundeswehr training mission in Iraq | News | DW.DE | 11.12.2014

 

[Aepsilons]

Berlin - Es steht fest: Die Bundeswehr soll auch mit bewaffneten Ausbildungskräften in den Nordirak gehen. Am Rande der Kabinettsitzung zurrten Außenminister Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD), Verteidigungsministerin Ursula von der Leyen und Innenminister Thomas de Maizière (beide CDU) die Mission fest.

Bis zur nächsten Kabinettssitzung Mitte kommender Woche soll der Regierungsbeschluss formuliert sein. Der Bundestag wird diesmal über die Entsendung der bewaffneten Kräfte beschließen. Was kommt auf Deutschlands Soldaten zu, welche rechtlichen Probleme stellen sich? SPIEGEL ONLINE beantwortet die drängendsten Fragen.

Um die Kräfte des "Islamischen Staates" (IS) im Norden des Irak stoppen zu können, beschloss die Bundesregierung bereits vor rund drei Monaten die Lieferung von Waffen aus Bundeswehrbeständen an die kurdischen Peschmerga. Die unterhalten im Norden des Irak ein autonomes Gebiet. Obwohl es nicht notwendig gewesen wäre, wurde hierzu ein Entschließungsantrag des Bundestags eingeholt, aber kein Mandat, wie es für bewaffnete Einsätze der Bundeswehr notwendig wäre. Es war kaum mehr als eine symbolische Erklärung. Unbewaffnete Bundeswehrausbilder sind seit einigen Wochen im Nordirak vor Ort, auch ein Verbindungsteam, das die Übergabe der Waffen an die Peschmerga überwacht.

Bundeswehr-Mission im Irak: Regierung gegen Verfassungs-Neuauslegung - SPIEGEL ONLINE

I long for the day , to see German and Japanese Forces cooperate and perform shoulder to shoulder military exercises, operations. I wish all the best for our German Brothers. Glory to Germany !

 

[thesolar65]

Time to check my eye sight. At first sight of the head line I thought it as "Budweiser".......

 

[Aepsilons]

Time to check my eye sight. At first sight of the head line I thought it as "Budweiser".......

lol. i bet you were ready to open your bag of pretzels, too, eh?

 

[Jäger]

We trained the Kurdish forces Peshmerga giving them many transport vehicles, weaponry and training

 

[Henry ME 95]

thank the gods that more support is on the way.
the Kurds can use as much back up as they can get.

 

[Jäger]

thank the gods that more support is on the way.
the Kurds can use as much back up as they can get.

of course they can. I am happy to support the Kurds

 

[Jäger]

German soldier teaching Kurdish forces how to use the G3