Germany’s Merkel backs no-fly zone in Syria
International diplomats hope to establish a safe area in first step to permanently ending hostilities

BERLIN, Germany (AFP) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday backed a call from Turkey for a no-fly zone over parts of Syria, saying it would alleviate the situation of displaced Syrians.
“In the current situation it would be helpful, if there could be such an area, where none of the parties are allowed to launch aerial attacks, that is to say, a kind of no-fly zone,” she told the daily Stuttgarter Zeitung, when asked about opening up such areas to host people fleeing fighting in the war-torn country.
She acknowledged that it was impossible to negotiate with “terrorists from the Islamic State”, “but if it’s possible for the anti-Assad coalition and the Assad-supporters to come to an agreement, that would be helpful.”

Turkey, which is already hosting around 2.2 million Syrian refugees, has been calling for a secure zone within Syria where the displaced could find refuge.
Top diplomats from world powers agreed at talks in Munich last Friday on a “nationwide cessation of hostilities” within a week, in the latest bid to find an end to Syria’s five-year conflict.
Increased efforts to end the bloody conflict come amidst the Europe’s struggle with the mass influx of refugees and other migrants arriving daily to its borders. US Secretary of State John Kerry recently characterized the current situation as a “near existential threat” to the politics and fabric of life in Europe.
Europe has been deeply split by how to handle the mass influx of people fleeing war-torn Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries.
John Kerry praised Angela Merkel and Germany for showing “great courage in helping so many who need so much” while taking in 1.1 million refugees last year.