Even after the start of the Turkish Syria offensive, the Federal Government has still authorized arms exports to Turkey. In the first six weeks after the 9 October invasion, it gave the green light for four deliveries worth € 3.09 million. This emerges from a response from the Federal Ministry of Economics to a request from the leftist politician Sevim Dagdelen.
The Turkish troops had invaded northern Syria to combat the Kurdish militia YPG, which Ankara considered a terrorist organization. The federal government then imposed a partial arms export ban against the NATO partner, which applies only to weapons and other military equipment that can be used in Syria.
"Accordingly, the (...) permits do not relate to military equipment that could be used in Syria," the news agency dpa quoted from the response of the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Arms exports already approved before the invasion are excluded from the export ban.
Equipment, electronics and weapons for Turkey
What kind of equipment it is, it does not show. Only the arms categories are mentioned.
- For the maritime sector, deliveries worth 2.69 million euros to Turkey were approved. For example, this can be any type of warship equipment .
- 400,000 euros are accounted for by electronics for military purposes.
- The smallest item on the approval list are handguns or accessories for 2556 euros.
The Federal Government has classified the Turkish military operation as contrary to international law. Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) described her in October in a government statement to the Bundestag as "humanitarian drama with big geopolitical consequences." "And that is why the federal government will not deliver arms to Turkey under the current conditions," she said.
Dagdelen: Permits "completely irresponsible"
However, Turkey reacted calmly to the partial export stop. "It only strengthens us," said Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. Next week Merkel and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet at the NATO summit in London.
Left MP Dagdelen called the permits "completely irresponsible." She demanded: "For Turkey, there must be a general arms embargo." The Greens have also spoken out for a complete export stop.