German minister accuses Qatar of financing ISIS

Germany’s development aid minister, Gerd Mueller, on Wednesday accused Qatar of financing the militant group the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

“A story like this always has a history,” he said in an interview with public broadcaster ZDF.

“Who is financing these troops? Hint: Qatar,” he added.

Gerd Mueller. (Photo courtesy: picture-alliance/dpa)

Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel this week urged a “debate” about who has been and is financing ISIS, but without naming any countries.

Meanwhile, Germany said it is ready to send weapons to support Iraqi Kurds in their battle against ISIS, Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said.

It is a controversial issue for Germany which, burdened by its history of aggression in two world wars, has often been reluctant to send troops into foreign conflicts and which as a rule does not send weapons into war zones.