German Minister: Qatar Financing IS Jihadists

Germany's development aid minister, Gerd Mueller, on Wednesday accused Qatar of financing the jihadist group Islamic State (IS) operating in Syria and Iraq.

"A story like this always has a history," he said in an interview with public broadcaster ZDF. "Who is financing these troops? Hint: Qatar."

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

Germany is expected to decide in coming days whether to deliver non-lethal military aid or possibly arms to Iraqi Kurds fighting the jihadists.

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.