The Ministry of Peshmerga of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is preparing to receive helicopters.

On his 11th February visit to Erbil, Italian defence chief Luigi Binelli Manetelli told a press conference that as well as standard and heavy weapons, Italy has agreed to send four Chinook helicopters to assist Peshmerga forces battling Islamic State (IS) militants.

Peshmerga Ministry Spokesman Halgord Hikmat exclusively told BasNews, “We are fully prepared to receive the Italian helicopters in Kurdistan.”

“An Italian team of experts is currently in Kurdistan to identify a base for the helicopters and train Peshmerga to use them,” Hikmat added.

Italy has already sent 200 advisors to train Peshmerga. “Italy also has sent rockets which the Peshmerga are training to use.”

Since the start of clashes with IS, a global coalition, including the US, Canada, Australia and European countries, has supported the Peshmerga with military aid.

Source: BasNews