Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

German Minister of Defense Confirms Army Deployment in War against Terrorism | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page
Media ID: 55355606
Caption:

German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen attends a news conference in Berlin, Germany, July 13, 2016. REUTERS, Hannibal Hanschke


Cologne, Germany-After revealing Angela Merkel’s nine-point plan to fight terrorism, which includes adding police officers, allowing the army to be involved in response to possible terrorist attacks, seeking to tighten European weapons laws and increasing the exchange of intelligence with the United States, German’s Minister of Defense Ursula Von der Leyen announced possible involvement of the Bundeswehr in the fight against terrorism in the country.

“At the end of summer at the conference of interior Ministers of the Federal States, we will decide which scenarios of the Bundeswehr we need to train,” said Tore Von Leyen.

According to her, in case of emergency all responsibilities should be allocated clearly and there should be enough staff to perform the tasks.

In addition, the Minister announced command and staff exercises, “which will test the interaction between the Federal level and police range land.” Adding that three Federal lands already expressed interest.

“In urgent situations, the police decide the needs to deal with the terrorist situation. However, in principle, the constitutional court of Germany explained that in an emergency case you can use the military,” said Tore Von Leyen.

In her opinion, it is “important and right” that in Germany, there is discussion about the possible use of the Bundeswehr to combat terrorist threats within the country.

“We all hope so, that it never comes to a large scenario which requires the use of the Bundeswehr inside. Paris has all opened our eyes. To me the skepticism now rather than later, the accusation that we were not prepared,” said von der Leyen.

The Minister warned after the recent attacks in Würzburg, Reutlingen, Munich and Ansbach of further attacks.

“Attacks may not be life in Germany.” Germany had to be prepared and do everything possible to prevent further attacks.

The fact that the fight against jihadist militia, ISIS, is the cause of the terrorist attacks in Germany holds the Minister of play.

Germany has been already in the sights of Islamist before it had taken up the fight against ISIS.

“It is our open and free way of life,” that would destroy the ISIS.

Regarding the e proposed “anti-terrorist operations,” GdP Chairman Oliver Malchow said Monday: “These are meaningless, the help that we need, the Bundeswehr cannot offer.”