Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer wants to suggest to the NATO allies to start an international stabilization operation in the embattled north of Syria. A solution to the conflict "lies in the creation of an internationally controlled security zone, including Turkey and Russia, with the aim of de-escalating the situation there," said the CDU chief of the German Press Agency. The goal must be to continue the fight against the terrorist militia "Islamic State" (IS) and to create the conditions for a voluntary return of refugees by rebuilding destroyed regions.
But with the coalition partner, the thrust of Kramp-Karrenbauer does not meet with enthusiasm. The Foreign Office, led by SPD politician Heiko Maas, said that there was a need for discussion on the proposals of the Minister of Defense. From the opposition came also criticism, but also approval for the proposal of the CDU chief.
"A few days ago, the FDP in Syria has demanded a blue helmet mission," said the FDP defense politician Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann dpa. Union politicians would have smiled at first. "Germany has remained speechless for too long in the face of the Turkish invasion," she criticized. The FDP demands an end to the fighting, a treaty for an international security zone between all conflicting parties and a UN resolution. "Germany must then be prepared to actively support this mission with the Bundeswehr," said Strack-Zimmermann.
Criticism also came from the Greens. "The fear of refugees has obscured parts of the CDU's view of reality," said foreign policy Omid Nouripour. Kramp-Karrenbauer also contradicted the Foreign Minister. "Not only does it denounce Germany's reliability in our alliances with unspoken statements, it also solidifies the impression that (Turkish President Recep Tayyip) Erdogan can blackmail us with refugees."
Kramp-Karrenbauer explained that the solution with a security zone must make clear that Turkey does not permanently occupy the zone in northern Syria, which is contrary to international law. In addition, one had to do justice to the existing UN resolution on Syria and preserve the country as a common territory. There should be no autonomous other areas in Syria.
Approval from the Kurdish community
She will discuss her move with NATO counterparts on the sidelines of the meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels on Thursday and Friday. A possible decision of the Bundestag on a German participation will then implement the Ministry of Defense with the Bundeswehr, said Kramp-Karrenbauer in the interview on the occasion of their first 100 days in office. Today one is active in the operation against the IS in the training of security forces in Iraq and in airspace surveillance. "If the question is how we continue the fight against IS, it will be the subject of such deliberations," she said.
Turkey launched an offensive against the Kurdish militia YPG in northern Syria on 9 October, which it regards as a terrorist organization. Ankara justifies the invasion of the right to self-defense. The Federal Government considers the military operation to be contrary to international law. Until now, she has refrained from sanctions except for a restriction of arms exports to Turkey. The offensive also threatens to destroy successes against the IS.
Ali Ertan Toprak, chairman of the Kurdish community in Germany, said in the ZDF "Heute-Journal": "We welcome the proposal of our Federal Minister of Defense, it was high time for Germany to react and for Europe to react."
