Commenting on the possibility of an alliance with the Assad regime, Germany’s Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, said that “nobody in the German government can forget the horrific crimes for which Assad is responsible.”
In an interview with the Bild newspaper on Tuesday, Steinmeier ruled out cooperation with the Assad regime forces, adding that Assad is fighting for one thing only: his survival.
Germany’s Defense Ministry spokesman Jens Flosdorff said on Tuesday that Germany plans to send up to six Tornado reconnaissance planes, tanker aircraft and a naval frigate to help protect the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the eastern Mediterranean, but which won’t actively engage in combat operations.
Two Tornados and a tanker could be sent to Turkey’s İncirlik air base next week if parliamentary approval comes this week, Flosdorff added.
The German cabinet had Tuesday approved a mandate offering military assistance to back the fight against ISIS which would sharply step up Germany’s role in the US-led coalition against ISIS.
The package, following a request from France in the wake of Paris attacks, includes up to 1,200 troops, but still requires parliamentary approval.
The six Tornado aircraft have no offensive fighter capability and are specialized in air to ground reconnaissance, Flosdorff said. (Source: Syrian Coalition + Agencies)
