Germany proposes to send 1200 soldiers to support fight against Islamic State
Date November 30, 2015 - 11:45AM
John O'Donnell
Frankfurt: Germany could send 1200 soldiers to the Middle East by the end of the year to provide service support to planes and ships of a coalition battling Islamic State, Germany's top defence official told a newspaper on Sunday.
Chancellor Angela Merkel promised to support the offensive against Islamic State during recent talks with French President Francois Hollande, who called for more countries to help fight the militants after the November 13 attacks in Paris.
The plan, which still needed approval from Parliament and was outlined by German Chief of Defence Volker Wieker in the Bild am Sonntag, did not include direct involvement in the coalition's air offensive.
French President Francois Hollande has held recent talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Paris over the campaign against Islamic State militants. Photo: AP
In Germany, the public dislikes sending forces overseas except for in peace missions, in part because of memories of Nazi militarism.
A German frigate would accompany France's Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, whose planes would refuel the jets of the coalition, General Wieker said in the interview.
"From a military point of view for the servicing of the planes and ships, about 1200 soldiers would be necessary," General Wieker said.
Islamic State militants. Photo: Supplied
He said he hoped to obtain the necessary mandate by the end of the year.
General Wieker also said Germany was in talks with Jordan and Turkey about stationing Tornado aircraft for reconnaissance in the region.
A senior German lawmaker said last week that Germany would deploy the reconnaissance jets to support France in the fight against Islamic State militants in Syria.
German officials said Chancellor Merkel saw a bigger German role as the price to pay for President Hollande's support in tackling the refugee crisis in Europe.
Reuters
