Germany's Merkel rules out military deployment in Syria

Chancellor says Douma gas attack shows Assad did not eradicate chemical arsenal

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday that a “full spectrum of measures” will be considered in response to a toxic gas attack blamed on Syrian President Bashar Assad, but ruled out any military deployment.

“Germany will not participate militarily, but we will provide our support if the representatives in the UN Security Council … were to take steps beyond diplomatic measures,” she stressed.

Merkel said the attack showed that Assad’s regime had failed to eradicate its chemical arsenal, despite pledging to do so in an agreement with the international community.

“We… must now acknowledge that it is obvious that the destruction was not completely carried out,” she said, noting that there is “strong evidence” that Damascus deployed the chemical weapons.

Damascus narrowly avoided US and French airstrikes in 2013 in retaliation for a suspected sarin attack by agreeing to hand over its chemical arsenal.

Following Saturday’s alleged chemical attack in rebel-held Douma, US President Donald Trump this week ratcheted up the pressure on Damascus, warning in a series of tweets that “missiles will be coming” in retaliation.

Germany has deployed reconnaissance and refueling flights as part of the international anti-jihadist operation in Syria.

But any further military role would require parliamentary approval.