Chancellor Angela Merkel has told lawmakers that it's in Germany's interests to arm the Kurdish fighters who are battling Islamic extremists in Iraq.
The government decided yesterday to send 16,000 assault rifles, hundreds of tank-busting weapons and several armored vehicles to forces fighting the Islamic State group, breaking with Germany's previous reluctance to send weapons into conflicts.
Merkel today told a special session of parliament the decision was "very carefully weighed."
She said German officials faced a choice between "taking no risks, not delivering (weapons) and ultimately accepting the expansion of terror" or supporting those fighting the extremists.
Merkel said "the immense suffering of many people cries out and our own security interests are threatened."
Lawmakers held a non-binding vote approving the move.
