Chancellor Angela Merkel has pledged more support for Iraq in its fight against the terrorist organisation IS. With its international partners, Germany will continue to stand by Iraq, she said in a telephone conversation with Iraq’s Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi.
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On Thursday the Chancellor phoned the Prime Minister of Iraq, Haider al-Abadi, to find out first hand about the current situation on the ground. She reaffirmed Germany’s support for the new Iraqi government, reported federal government spokesperson Steffen Seibert on Friday. It is important that a new inclusive policy be credibly implemented at this stage, he said.
Prime Minister al-Abadi thanked the German government for its support to date, reported Steffen Seibert. He is determined to push through reforms, and enforce a policy of reconciliation. The most urgent task facing him, however, is the fight against Islamic State (IS) terrorists.
The Chancellor and Prime Minister al-Abadi expressly welcomed international efforts and the effective alliance against the IS terrorists.
The German government’s policy on Iraq focuses on a comprehensive political approach, concentrating on strengthening Iraq’s new government, providing humanitarian aid and maintaining contacts with the states in the region.
This approach also involves what is termed the "delegitimation" of IS, cutting off funding for the terrorist organisation and continued support for the Kurdish regional government. The latter is also taking the form of supplies of military equipment, including arms and ammunition.
The fight against IS is seen as a long-term task by the German government. There will be close consultation with Germany’s partners.
During the general debate in the German Bundestag on 10 September, the Chancellor explained that Germany’s engagement will be embedded in the alliance with the United States of America, the European Union and partners in the Arab world. The fight against the IS terrorists calls for a determined and resolute approach on the part of all allies.
The Chancellor met this week with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh al-Thani at the Federal Chancellery. During their meeting they also discussed the threat posed by the terrorist organisation IS.
The intolerance and brutality demonstrated by IS in their fight against all other faiths is utterly unacceptable, declared the Chancellor in Berlin. The IS is a serious threat to security throughout the entire Middle East, she said.
The Chancellor also stressed the fact that she and the Emir were largely in agreement. This intolerance and brutality and the war on everyone who does not share their world views cannot be accepted. Qatar, said the Chancellor, is also a member of the alliance that the USA is currently putting together. Emir al-Thani had underlined that Qatar would never support terrorist groups. Qatar, he said, had also joined the alliance in the fight against IS.
At the NATO summit meeting in Wales, ten nations including Germany decided to form an alliance to tackle the IS. At the summit it was decided to put in place a "clearing house mechanism" to coordinate bilateral support measures. Within NATO’s existing partnership with Iraq, it will also explore ways of extending Iraq’s defence capacities, if this is so desired by the government of Iraq.