Germany’s Consulate General in Erbil announced on Sunday the visit of Siemtje Moller, Parliamentary State Secretary to Germany’s Federal Minister of Defense, to the Kurdistan Region, and emphasized Germany’s continued support for the peshmerga forces.
“The meetings underscored Germany’s continued support and friendship toward the peshmerga forces in the Kurdistan Region,” the Consulate General said.
Happy to host ?? MoD Parliamentary State Secretary & MP Siemtje Möller in Erbil for meetings with with PM @MasrourBarzani and MoPA Chief of Staff, General Issa Ozeir and General Bakhtyar Mohammed to emphasize ?? 's enduring friendship & continued support to #KRI Peshmerga. pic.twitter.com/7G4qfQ0qyv
— German Consulate Erbil (@GermanyInKRI) November 3, 2024
During her visit to Erbil, Moller met with Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, as well as Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs Chief of Staff General Issa Ozeir and Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs Secretary-General Lieutenant Colonel Bakhtiar Mohammed Sadiq.
“In Erbil, the future cooperation between our two countries was also a key topic. Before meetings at the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs, I had a detailed discussion with the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Masrour Barzani, about the importance of the Bundeswehr’s training mission in the north of Iraq,” Moller posted on her Instagram account on November 2.
“Recently, we extended the mandate that outlines the Bundeswehr’s mission here in the region for another 15 months in the Bundestag. We remain committed to our responsibility in the fight against terrorism.”
“While ISIS is territorially defeated, it continues to pose a threat – not only in Iraq and Syria, but also in Europe,” she underlined.
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During the meeting, Prime Minister Barzani thanked Germany for their continued support of the peshmerga forces, the Prime Minister’s office said in a readout.
Moreover, Prime Minister Barzani acknowledged the recent decision by the German parliament and government to extend their mandate in the Kurdistan Region.
Read More: Kurdish Leadership Welcomes Extension of German Mission
The German parliament on October 18 extended the German army mission to Iraq until January 31, 2026, with an absolute majority. As a result, Germany will continue to deploy 500 soldiers to Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region.
During the meeting, both sides also discussed strengthening bilateral relations, advancing reforms within the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs and ensuring security in Iraq and the broader region.
Prime Minister @masrourbarzani received German Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Defence and Member of Parliament, Siemtje Möller.https://t.co/0demeLlaR0
— Kurdistan Regional Government (@Kurdistan) October 30, 2024
Germany has provided strong support to the peshmerga in the fight against ISIS by providing training and equipment, such as G-36 rifles and MILAN anti-tank missiles. These weapons have played a crucial role in stopping ISIS.
On August 14, 2024, the then-Commander of the German Armed Forces in Erbil Colonel Lars Persikowski warned that the ideology of ISIS is still alive.
“ISIS must be prevented from regaining the ability to endanger peace in this region. Therefore, the German Armed Forces – as part of the U.S.-led coalition – continue to support the Kurdistan Regional Government by enhancing the capabilities of the Kurdish armed forces under the Ministry of Peshmerga Affairs.”
