Syria air strikes: German cabinet supports proposals to send 1,200 troops, planes and ship to support Isis mission
The German government is not proposing launching its own air strikes but want to support the countries carrying them out
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Germany’s cabinet has approved plans to send up to 1,200 troops to the Middle East as part of a multi-million euro mission to support the fight against Isis.
Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, has stated that armed forces will not fight or launch bombing missions, but work to support countries including France, the US and Russia.
A proposal for Germany to send Tornado reconnaissance jets, refuelling aircraft, a frigate to protect a French aircraft carrier and the supporting soldiers necessary for the deployment was approved by the cabinet this morning and will go to a vote in Germany’s parliament later this week.
Members of the Bundestag will be debating the move tomorrow, as British MPs prepare to vote on whether to extend RAF air strikes from Iraq into Syria.
A letter from the German foreign and defence ministries said the deployment was aimed at preventing “terrorist acts” in the wake of the Paris attacks, and supporting France and other partners in their fight against Isis.
The defence minister, Ursula von der Leyen sought to reassure voters nervous of foreign intervention, saying that Germany had not been drawn into war against its will.
“The top line is: there will be no cooperation with Assad and no cooperation with troops under his command,” she said, though she did not rule out including supporters of the current Syrian President in a long-term solution for the country.
“We must avoid the collapse of the state of Syria,” she said, to avoid a repeat of mistakes made in Iraq, when groups who had been loyal to Saddam Hussein were prevented from being part of the political system after his defeat.
The German foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, told Bild that 1,200 was the upper limit for troops, deployed to allow the operation of aircraft and ships, and that they would not all be sent out at the same time.
“Bombs and rockets alone will not conquer terror, that will only happen though politics,” the Social Democrat told the newspaper, stressing the need for a long-term diplomatic solution.
The mission would reportedly cost around €134 million over the coming year.
Politicians from the Left party argued that the Government is making Germany a target for terrorists by joining the mission and vowed to vote against the proposals, and launch a legal challenge if they are supported by the Bundestag.
Some members of the opposition Greens also have reservations, with member Hans-Christian Ströbele calling it “politically and militarily wrong”, but the motion is expected to be passed by Ms Merkel’s “grand coalition” of conservatives and Social Democrats.
Additional reporting by Reuters
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments