US seeks more German military aid over Daesh

File photo of German forces

The United States has reportedly asked Germany for more military help in the fight against the Daesh (ISIL) terrorist group.

According to the German magazine, Der Spiegel, a week after the parliament in Berlin approved a plan to join the so-called US-led coalition in Syria, American Defense Secretary Ashton Carter sent a letter asking for a bigger military contribution from Germany.

A German Defense Ministry spokesman confirmed a letter had been received from the United States and its content was under consideration, giving no further details.

The German mission currently includes six Tornado reconnaissance jets, a frigate to protect the French aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle, refueling aircraft and up to 1,200 troops. Germany does not plan to carry out airstrikes in Syria, reports say.

The deployment is a direct response to a French appeal for solidarity after terrorist attacks in Paris killed 130 people last month.

More than 3,000 German personnel are currently deployed overseas and the Syria mission will raise that by up to 1,200.

Since late September 2014, the US and its allies have been carrying out airstrikes purportedly against ISIL positions in Syria.

Senior US officials, including President Barack Obama, have been backing the so-called moderate militants fighting against the Syrian government.


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