Germany is already doing enough for the US-led anti-ISIS operation in Syria, said German Chancellor Angela Merkel, apparently dismissing a reported request from the United States for sending for troops.

“I believe Germany is fulfilling its part and we don’t need to talk about new issues related to this question at the moment," Angela Merkel told the ZDF, according to RT. Merkel’s response comes after US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter reportedly asked his German counterpart to commit more forces for the anti-ISIS mission in Syria.

German magazine Der Spiegel reported that Carter had sent a letter to Berlin, asking for bigger cooperation from Germany. While a German defence ministry spokesman confirmed receiving a letter from Washington, no further details were revealed.

 

Die Bundeskanzlerin Dr. Angela Merkel besuchte am 7. Dezember den Sanitätsdienst der Bundeswehr im ostfriesischen Leer. Sie informierte sich auch über die einsatzvorbereitende Ausbildung und die Fähigkeiten des Kommandos Schnelle Einsatzkräfte Sanitätsdienst. Ihr Fazit: „Der Besuch hat mir gezeigt, wie gut die Versorgung der Soldatinnen und Soldaten im Einsatz ist, ein sehr hohes Niveau.“ // The German chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel visited the medical corps of the Federal Armed Forces in Leer. She has been informed about the mission preparing training and capabilities of the quick reaction force of the medical service. She said: “The medical support of our soldiers in mission is on a very high level.” (Foto: #Bundeswehr / D. Bannert) #milstagram

A photo posted by Bundeswehr (@bundeswehr) on


According to Der Spiegel, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier blasted the Left Party for rejecting the planned deployment of German armed forces against ISIS in Syria. "A simple and categorical no to any military confrontation with Islamic State does not make any contribution toward security in Syria," he said.

The German foreign minister’s comment may seem contradictory to his earlier comments in September when France announced taking part in the US-led mission against ISIS.

"It is unacceptable that important partners - partners who we need - are now playing the military card," Steinmeier said in September.

According to The Guardian, German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen earlier said Germany might need bigger armed forces to play a more important role in the US-led mission in Syria.

The decision to send 1,200 military personnel to Syria was approved in the parliament Dec. 4. At present, Germany’s cooperation includes a frigate to protect the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, six Tornado reconnaissance jets and up to 1,200 troops.

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