Germany has sent off military equipment to help Kurdish fighters in their battle with ISIL forces in Iraq.<br /><br />This breaks a post-World War Two taboo on sending weapons to active conflict zones.<br /><br />A military transport plane has taken off from Leipzig.<br /><br />German army Lieutenant-Colonel Christoph Von Loewenstern said: “This is the first of several flights until the beginning of October. They will <br />probably also take off from Leipzig-Halle. Today 60 tonnes of weapons and ammunition are concerned.”<br /><br />In the coming week some 600 tonnes of military equipment will be sent, including anti-tank missiles, assault rifles and heavy machine guns. Protective gear and medical supplies are also included. <br /><br />So far some eight countries have agreed to arm the Kurd fighters.
