News / Germany

Germany to send 1,200 troops to join anti-Daesh battle in Syria

Sunday, 29 November 2015 9:15 PM [ Last Update: Monday, 30 November 2015 12:55 AM ]

German Bundeswehr troops are seen departing for a NATO mission in the Middle East. (AFP)

Germany plans to deploy 1,200 troops to support a naval frigate as well as reconnaissance and refueling aircraft, which it has pledged to send to the battle against Daesh terrorists in Syria.

The deployment was outlined by Germany's Chief of Defense Volker Wieker in an interview published by the Bild am Sonntag newspaper on Sunday.

Wieker added that deployments are still pending parliamentary approval but a mandate is expected before the end of the year and that the deployment could “occur very rapidly after mandating.”

In accordance to the plans, a German naval frigate would escort France's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and Germen jets would be used to photograph the region and refuel US-led coalition jets, allegedly engaged in targeting Takfiri positions in the region.

"From a military point of view for the servicing of the planes and ships, about 1,200 soldiers would be necessary," said the defense chief.

He noted that four or six Germen air force Tornado jets would be stationed in either Jordan or Turkey.

*Picture taken on June 22, 2010 shows a "Tornado" fighter bomber of the German armed forces Bundeswehr during an exercise near Messstetten, southern Germany. (AFP)*

Wieker said he did not believe that Germany’s participation in the actual air strikes was necessary for now.

"What makes sense militarily is what is necessary," he said. "In this case, that is our ability to carry out reconnaissance."

Germany’s move comes after Chancellor Angela Merkel promised to support France in the battle against terrorism in the wake of a series of deadly attacks on Paris, which claimed the lives of some 130 people on November 13.

“When the French president asks me to think about what more we can do, then it is our duty to reflect on this and we will also react very quickly here,” she said at joint press conference with French President Francois Hollande in Paris.

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