Italy to start delivering arms to Iraqi Kurds

'By Sep 10,' says Pinotti

(ANSA) - Rome, September 3 - Italy will probably start arming Iraqi Kurds against ISIS militants late next week, Defence Minister Roberta Pinotti said Wednesday. Speaking to a joint session of the House and Senate foreign and defence committees, Pinotti said deliveries would start "within the first 10 days of September".

Italy's parliament on August 20 backed Premier Matteo Renzi's move to send military aid to Iraqi Kurds fighting the offensive by fundamentalist Islamic State (ISIS) militia in the country's north as the premier himself met with Iraqi and Kurdish leaders as well as refugees in Baghdad and Erbil. Weapons including anti-tank rockets, automatic weapons, machine guns and ammunition will be sent to Kurdish forces.