Germany rebuffs US request for ground troops in Syria
 

Germany rebuffs US request for ground troops in Syria
By: The Associated Press - 7-8-19
RE: https://www.modbee.com/news/nation-w...232398112.html

BERLIN
A government spokesman says Germany isn't considering sending ground troops to Syria as part of its contribution to fighting the Islamic State group.

German media reported over the weekend that the U.S. envoy for Syria, James Jeffrey, asked the German government last week to contribute ground troops to the anti-IS coalition led by the United States.

Government spokesman Steffen Seibert said Monday that "Germany has for years made a considerable and internationally recognized contribution" to the coalition that includes training Iraqi troops, doing aerial reconnaissance and refueling allied aircraft.

He says Germany favors continuing its existing coalition functions and "it's known that this doesn't include ground troops."

Seibert says Berlin is discussing with allies the future military and civilian efforts needed to stabilize the region and how the responsibilities will be divided among participating countries.

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Personal Note: It seems to me nobody wants to fight any more conflicts or get into them. These worldwide gun fights are getting pretty upsetting to world leaders. They don't want to spend the money or use their personnel for on the line of fire anymore. They will fight to protect their own lands but won't waste money or personnel on issues outside their realms.

Boats

Germany says no to US request for ground troops in Syria
 

Germany says no to US request for ground troops in Syria
By: Middle East Eye and agencies - 7-8-19
RE: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/g...d-troops-syria

Chancellor Angela Merkel had faced cross-party pressure to reject request for soldiers in fight against Islamic State

Photo link: https://www.middleeasteye.net/sites/...?itok=ZhhesivU
Germany has so far deployed surveillance aircraft and other non-combat military support in Syria (AFP)

Berlin said on Monday it had no plans to send ground troops to Syria, refusing a US request for Germany to ramp up its military involvement in the fight against Islamic State (IS).

US special representative on Syria James Jeffrey had told German media, including the Die Welt newspaper, on Sunday that Washington wanted Berlin to put boots on the ground in northern Syria.

German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said: "When I say that the government intends to continue with its ongoing measures in the framework of the anti-IS coalition, then that means no ground troops."

Jeffrey, who was visiting Berlin for Syria talks, had added that he expected an answer this month, the AFP news agency reported.

The mandate for Germany's participation in Syria runs out on 31 October, meaning that parliament would be called on to decide what to do beyond that date.

Seibert noted that Germany has "for years been making a significant and internationally acknowledged contribution" to fighting IS.

Berlin is now in talks with the US on "how the engagement should develop further," he added.

Public opposition
Chancellor Angela Merkel's junior coalition partner the socialist SPD, the Greens, liberal Free Democrats and Left party had all urged the veteran leader to turn down the US request for troops.

Washington has two goals in northeastern Syria: to support the US-backed Kurdish forces that expelled IS from northern Syria because they are increasingly threatened by Turkey, and to prevent a potential IS resurgence in the war-torn country.

The US is hoping Europe will help, pressuring Britain, France and now Germany, which has so far deployed surveillance aircraft and other non-combat military support in Syria.

However Germany's history makes military spending and foreign adventures controversial.

Berlin sent soldiers to fight abroad for the first time since World War II in 1995 to Croatia during the Bosnian war, and much of the political spectrum and the public remains suspicious of such deployments.