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Syria conflict: German MPs to vote on anti-IS military mission | Syria conflict: German MPs to vote on anti-IS military mission |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Germany's parliament is due to vote on whether the country should provide military support in the fight against Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria. | Germany's parliament is due to vote on whether the country should provide military support in the fight against Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria. |
MPs are expected to back the controversial plan, a BBC correspondent in Berlin reports. | MPs are expected to back the controversial plan, a BBC correspondent in Berlin reports. |
Tornado reconnaissance aircraft, a naval frigate and 1,200 soldiers will then be sent to the region. But German forces will not engage in combat. | |
The vote comes after a French appeal following last month's Paris attacks. | The vote comes after a French appeal following last month's Paris attacks. |
On Thursday, British warplanes carried out their first air strikes on IS targets in Syria after the country's parliament authorised the military operation. | |
'Staring into abyss' | 'Staring into abyss' |
German MPs are expected to approve the proposal later on Friday, although many admit they will do so reluctantly, the BBC's Jenny Hill in Berlin reports. | German MPs are expected to approve the proposal later on Friday, although many admit they will do so reluctantly, the BBC's Jenny Hill in Berlin reports. |
Some lawmakers have expressed concerns about mission creep. | Some lawmakers have expressed concerns about mission creep. |
However, ministers now believe Germany is now an IS target, and they also want to show solidarity with France, our correspondent adds. | However, ministers now believe Germany is now an IS target, and they also want to show solidarity with France, our correspondent adds. |
"I would not have imagined two years ago what sort of an abyss we would be staring into," Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said earlier this week. | "I would not have imagined two years ago what sort of an abyss we would be staring into," Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said earlier this week. |
If approved, this would become Germany's biggest current military operation abroad. | If approved, this would become Germany's biggest current military operation abroad. |
The mandate will initially last a year and will cost €134m (£97m; $146m). | The mandate will initially last a year and will cost €134m (£97m; $146m). |
It will involve Tornado reconnaissance jets, refuelling aircraft and the naval frigate Sachsen, which will help support the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the eastern Mediterranean. | It will involve Tornado reconnaissance jets, refuelling aircraft and the naval frigate Sachsen, which will help support the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the eastern Mediterranean. |
Germany's armed services association has cautioned against entering a conflict without clearly defined goals. | Germany's armed services association has cautioned against entering a conflict without clearly defined goals. |
"I'm working on the basis that this fight, if it is taken seriously, will go on for well over 10 years," the association's chairman Andre Wuestner told German TV this week. | "I'm working on the basis that this fight, if it is taken seriously, will go on for well over 10 years," the association's chairman Andre Wuestner told German TV this week. |
Green Party chairwoman Simone Peter has expressed concern about the legal basis for the mission without a UN resolution. | Green Party chairwoman Simone Peter has expressed concern about the legal basis for the mission without a UN resolution. |
Until now, Germany's biggest foreign mission has been in Afghanistan, but that has gradually wound down to a force of just less than 1,000. | Until now, Germany's biggest foreign mission has been in Afghanistan, but that has gradually wound down to a force of just less than 1,000. |
Last week, Germany agreed to send 650 soldiers to Mali, to join 1,500 French troops deployed to fight IS militants. | Last week, Germany agreed to send 650 soldiers to Mali, to join 1,500 French troops deployed to fight IS militants. |
Some 700 German soldiers are also part of the Nato-led K-For operation to stabilise Kosovo. | Some 700 German soldiers are also part of the Nato-led K-For operation to stabilise Kosovo. |