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Syria conflict: German MPs to vote on anti-IS military mission Syria conflict: German MPs vote for anti-IS military mission
(35 minutes 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 has voted to send German military support to the US-led coalition fighting Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria.
MPs are believed likely to to back the controversial plan. MPs approved the controversial plan for a German non-combat role.
Tornado aircraft - carrying out reconnaissance - a naval frigate and 1,200 soldiers will then be sent to the region. But German forces will not engage in combat. Tornado jets - for reconnaissance - a naval frigate and 1,200 soldiers will be sent to the region.
The vote comes after a French appeal following last month's Paris attacks. The vote comes after a French request following last month's Paris attacks. Ministers believe Germany is now an IS target too.
On Thursday, British warplanes carried out their first air strikes on IS targets in Syria after the country's parliament authorised the military operation.On Thursday, British warplanes carried out their first air strikes on IS targets in Syria after the country's parliament authorised the military operation.
Many MPs admit they will approve the move reluctantly, the BBC's Jenny Hill in Berlin reports, with some expressing concerns about mission creep.
However, ministers 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. This will be 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).
The German army says forces will be deployed "in and over Syria where IS is operating, on the territory of states whose governments have given approval [to Germany], in the eastern Mediterranean, Gulf, Red Sea and adjoining seas".The German army says forces will be deployed "in and over Syria where IS is operating, on the territory of states whose governments have given approval [to Germany], in the eastern Mediterranean, Gulf, Red Sea and adjoining seas".
Aside from aircraft, the naval frigate Sachsen will help support the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the eastern Mediterranean.Aside from aircraft, the naval frigate Sachsen will help support the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the eastern Mediterranean.
Germany will boost to 150 its 100-strong contingent of troops in northern Iraq. They are helping to train Kurdish Peshmerga forces who are fighting IS. Germany is also providing arms and ammunition for them.Germany will boost to 150 its 100-strong contingent of troops in northern Iraq. They are helping to train Kurdish Peshmerga forces who are fighting IS. Germany is also providing arms and ammunition for them.
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 specific UN resolution authorising it.Green Party chairwoman Simone Peter has expressed concern about the legal basis for the mission without a specific UN resolution authorising it.
After the Paris attacks last month the UN Security Council adopted a French resolution calling on UN member states to "take all necessary measures" to "prevent and suppress terrorist acts" committed by IS, al-Qaeda and affiliated "terrorist" groups.After the Paris attacks last month the UN Security Council adopted a French resolution calling on UN member states to "take all necessary measures" to "prevent and suppress terrorist acts" committed by IS, al-Qaeda and affiliated "terrorist" groups.
France also invoked an EU Treaty clause on mutual defence - Article 42.7 - to get help from its EU partners in the fight against IS.France also invoked an EU Treaty clause on mutual defence - Article 42.7 - to get help from its EU partners in the fight against IS.
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.