Germany says no to US request that it send ground troops to Syria

Berlin says today it has no plans to send ground troops to Syria, refusing a US request for Germany to ramp up its military involvement in the fight against Islamic State.

“When I say that the government intends to continue with its ongoing measures in the framework of the anti-IS coalition, then that means no ground troops,” says German government spokesman Steffen Seibert.

US special representative on Syria James Jeffrey told German media, including the Die Welt newspaper Sunday, that Washington wants Berlin to put boots on the ground in northern Syria.

Jeffrey, who was visiting Berlin for Syria talks, added that he expects an answer this month.

The mandate for Germany’s participation in Syria runs out on October 31, meaning that parliament would be called on to decide what to do beyond that date.

— AFP