When Turkish troops marched into Afrin in January 2018, tanks from German production also rolled through northern Syria. Turkey is again threatened with a military offensive in the region, again against the majority Kurdish SDF rebels.
The Green Party in the Bundestag therefore demands from the Federal Government an immediate stop of all arms exports to Turkey. Also, the military cooperation must be suspended immediately, said the group leader Agnieszka Brugger the SPIEGEL.
"It was a big mistake that last year the federal government reacted so tame and despondent to the invasion by the Turkish army in Afrin, in violation of international law," said Brugger. Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was signaled "that he has no serious consequences to fear if he extends his military offensive."
Foreign Minister Gabriel justified apparent export stop 2018 with invasion
Even after the Turkish troops invaded Syria, the Federal Government had approved the supply of millions in armaments to the NATO partner a good one and a half years ago. The then Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel (SPD) had repeatedly assured in February 2018 that since the beginning of the Syrian offensive, a complete export stop for all arms to Turkey applies: "We have delivered any armaments because of the conflict in northern Syria."
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Turkish offensive: with "Leopard" tanks against KurdsHowever, SPD State Secretary Matthias Machnig acknowledged a month later that the German government had granted "export licenses" in individual cases even after the beginning of the Turkish offensive. These had either been in connection with international armaments cooperation or served the NATO Alliance defense.
In 2018 Germany had exported armaments worth 242.8 million euros to Turkey, in the first four months of this year alone 184.1 million euros.
Green politician Brugger told the SPIEGEL that the federal government must now "work for an unmistakable EU signal to Erdogan and against a further escalation of the already terrible situation in Syria."
Federal Government shows understanding for security interests of Turkey
After hearing Erdogan's plans, the German government announced that it was "very serious about the repeated announcements by Turkish politicians to launch a unilateral military operation in northern Syria". "Such a military intervention would lead to a further escalation in Syria," said deputy government spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer. However, one also understands the security interests of Turkey in the border region.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has long wanted to invade the so-called "terror corridor" under SDF control in northern Syria. He now wants to create a "security zone" there under sole Turkish control. There, Erdogan also wants to relocate two million of the approximately 3.6 million Syrian refugees living in Turkey.
Most recently, the US announcement to withdraw its troops from the region raised international concerns. The Kurdish militias in northern Syria have long been an ally of the US and felt betrayed by the step.