German Defense Minister: We will not send our soldiers to northern Syria

The Defense ministry dismissed rumors that German soldiers were sent to northern Syria, describing it as “speculation”.

The German Defense Ministry has described as “speculation” a report on specific plans for a German army mission, including sending troops to Syria, as part of a proposal by German Defense Minister Angrett Kramp-Karenbauer to establish a safe zone in the north under international supervision.

German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democrats, has proposed an international security zone with German participation in northern Syria.

Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, Angela Merkel’s preferred successor as chancellor, said she would discuss the initiative with NATO partners this week and did not rule out sending German soldiers to Syria, saying that would be a matter for parliament.

Turkey meanwhile said it would resume its offensive against Kurdish fighters in Syria’s north when a ceasefire expires on Tuesday evening because hundreds of them remain near the border despite the deal’s requirement for them to withdraw.

The Kremlin said it was studying the idea, which caused irritation within Germany’s Social Democrats (SPD) who are in coalition with Merkel’s conservatives but were not consulted.

“We cannot just stand by and watch and not do anything,” Kramp-Karrenbauer, leader of Merkel’s conservative Christian Democrats (CDU).

“My suggestion is that we set up an internationally controlled security zone involving Turkey and Russia,” she said

She said the move should stabilize the region and allow civilians to rebuild and refugees to return on a voluntary basis.

The five-day, U.S.-brokered pause in Turkey’s military operation against the Kurdish YPG militia in Syria is due to expire.

Kramp-Karrenbauer’s idea is a departure for Germany, which is still a reluctant partner in security missions abroad, above all in the Middle East, due to the legacy of World War Two though it has increased its involvement in the last two decades.

Controversially, Kramp-Karrenbauer also underscored the need for Turkey and Russia to be actively included in any European-led discussions on the matter

“The alternative to that would be that the Europeans and NATO simply watch as talks between Turkey and Russia continue,” she told DW.

“Russia is one of the most important actors in Syria,” she added. “Regardless of whether one likes that or not, it is a fact that we have to deal with.”

However, the former NATO general and ex-head of the German armed forces, Harald Kujat, told German broadcaster NDR that he would specifically oppose Turkey’s involvement in such a security zone.

He said that Turkey is already in northern Syria under the auspices of establishing what it calls a “security zone.” Kujat instead called for a NATO and European-led initiative to guarantee the protection of Kurds and other ethnic minorities in the region.

Even so, he expressed skepticism about whether such coordination between all parties involved is “feasible under the current conditions.”

Meanwhile, the willingness of state partners with disparate views on the conflict to come to the negotiation table remains open.