Merkel Tells Germany Not to Shy Away From International Conflicts; Offers Arms Support to Kurds Fighting ISIS in Iraq

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for Germany to take a more central role in international conflicts.

The news comes alongside an announcement Sunday from Germany stating that it plans to arm troops fighting Islamist insurgents. The decision, which is a far cry from the nation's postwar pacifist traditions, would ship antitank weaponry and small arms to Kurdish fighters in Iraq.

Merkel emphasized that the European nation should not shy away when its own security interests were at stake, and she highlighted the threat posed from Islamic State extremists in Iraq.

It is believed that the Islamic State (also known as ISIL or ISIS) has more than 400 German citizens in its ranks. Many believe that the Muslim militants will look to send some of those back to their home nation to carry out terror attacks.

Merkel said Sunday: "We face the decision not to undertake any risk, to deliver nothing and ultimately condone the spread of terror, or to support those who are desperately but courageously fighting the hideous ISIS terror with limited resources."

"Can we really wait and hope that others confront this acute danger? No, that doesn't correspond with our understanding of responsibility in this situation."

Germany joins the United States, the UK, Australia, Canada, Italy, and France in pledging weapons and ammunition to the Iraqi Kurds. Germany's move, however, is significant, as the nation has often shied away from exporting arms to conflict zones, and is a first for supporting a group that is neither a direct ally or political partner.