“A signal to the people of Syria”
The German Bundestag approved the deployment of the Bundeswehr against so-called Islamic State by a large majority.
It could be one of the Bundeswehr’s biggest deployments. At the beginning of December 2015, the Bundestag approved the deployment of German armed forces as part of the campaign against the so-called Islamic State (IS) by a large majority. Up to 1,200 German troops are set to support the international alliance against the terrorist militia and thus to curb IS’s terrorist activities.
Reconnaissance, protective roles and logistics are the areas in which Germany wishes to make a specific contribution. Satellite reconnaissance and Tornado reconnaissance flights aim to give an accurate picture of the situation on the ground. There is also a plan to deploy a refuelling aircraft for aerial refuelling, a frigate to escort a French aircraft carrier, and personnel for headquarters and command centres. With this Bundeswehr deployment, the Federal Government intends to send “a signal to the people of Syria,” explains Federal Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen. For Syrians, she claims, the international community’s firm resolve to fight IS and to work towards a ceasefire is of crucial importance.
