German parliament approves action against Daesh

Germany’s lower house of parliament Friday approved a mandate to help France and others in their fight against Daesh in Syria, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The motion to support France with Tornado reconnaissance jets, a refueling aircraft and a frigate to protect a French aircraft carrier passed by a convincing margin, as expected. A total of 445 lawmakers voted in favor of the mission, with just 146 voting against and seven abstentions.

Germany has already been supplying arms and military training to Kurdish fighters in Iraq over the past year, but is now stepping up its efforts in the fight against Daesh by extending it to Syria, albeit only in a reconnaissance capacity.

In all, Berlin could deploy up to 1,200 military personnel to support the international alliance fighting Daesh, though the government said it likely won’t deploy all of them at the same time.

While German forces will be armed and authorized to defend themselves if attacked, German pilots won’t be conducting offensive airstrikes in Syria.

The mandate is initially set for one year but can be renewed.

Sources: MENA