US increases pressure for Tornados

The US increased pressure to have Germany participate in the “safe zone” plan they want to implement in Rojava with Tornado jets. American General McKenzie wrote a letter to the German army, saying “Your support is important to us.”

The US has accelerated their initiatives to include Germany in the “safe zone” plan they want to implement in Rojava Kurdistan. Der Spiegel announced the plan first last week stating that it would be implemented to protect Kurdish forces from both Turkey and the Damascus regime, and that the Tornado jets stationed in Jordan as part of the war against ISIS would serve to that end.

Der Spiegel’s website Spiegel Online published a new article and announced that Washington has increased pressure on Berlin for the Tornados. The article also said American General responsible with the fight against ISIS Kenneth McKenzie wrote a letter addressing the German army and said, “Your support is very important for us for the safety of our troops in Syria.”

A copy of the letter was sent to the Federal Government led by Angela Merkel. In the letter, the US administration requests that Tornados continue to serve in the region, saying “We urgently need the military capabilities of all our coalition partners to avoid ISIS getting stronger again in the region and for the safety of the region.”

NEW MANDATE TO ARRIVE AT THE PARLIAMENT AFTER THE SUMMER

Germany had stationed 280 soldiers and 6 Tornado jets in the Al Asraky military airport in Jordan as part of the efforts against ISIS. The German soldiers’ duty there will end on October 31, and the new mandate to be prepared in line with the US government’s wishes will only arrive at the parliament after the summer.

But the Merkel government is in a bind this time around, as the previous mandate had barely passed the parliament when coalition partner SPD objected, even after the inclusion of the phrase “The soldiers will be stationed for the last time”. A new mandate will deepen the crisis between the SPD and Chancellor Merkel’s CDU. SPD has already objected to the US’ request, while the CDU views the matter favorably.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas visited the German troops stationed in Jordan for the Tornados. Maas will stay in the region for 4 days and hold meetings in United Arab Emirates and Iran as well as the Jordanian capital Amman.