Germany Social Democrat party rejects Berlin participation in Syria’s war

The leader of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD), Andrea Nahles said Monday that her party rejects the German armed forces participation in the war against Syria if the Syrian government used chemical weapons again.

Nahles issued a brief statement on Monday after German Bild newspaper reported that the Defence Ministry was considering possible options for joining the US, British and French forces in any future military action in Syria.

“The SPD will not agree, neither in parliament nor the government to Germany’s participation in the war in Syria,” Nahles said, adding “We support the foreign minister in his efforts to avoid a humanitarian crisis through discussions with Turkey and Russia”.

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Bild newspaper reported on Monday that a senior German Defence Ministry official met last month with the US military attache to discuss possible German support for a military alliance against President Bashar al-Assad. Bild said German, and US officials had considered various options, including the possibility of German fighters, help assess damages caused by the battle or dropping bombs.

Bild newspaper said German Chancellor, Angela Merkel will have to decide on participating in such strikes.

The German foreign and defence ministries said in a joint statement that they were in close contact with US and European allies on the current situation in Syria, possible crisis scenarios and options for collective action.