BALADI NEWS
US Special Representative for Syria Engagement James Jeffrey has called on Germany to send military trainers, logistics specialists, and technicians to help the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the fight against ISIS.
"We want ground troops from Germany to partially replace our soldiers," Jeffrey said in an interview with the German dpa news agency and the weekly Welt am Sonntag newspaper, before adding that he expected an answer from the German government this month.
Jeffrey was in Berlin on Friday on a mission to draw pledges of military and financial support from the German government. "We are looking for volunteers who want to take part here and among other coalition partners," Jeffrey told the German news outlets, though he added that he had not asked for a specific number of soldiers.
"It is better to force ISIS back with local Syrian forces," he said. "But a certain international presence is needed to secure air support, for logistics, training, and technical help."
He also said combat should not be ruled out since ground troops would need to be prepared to defend themselves.
Some 80 countries belong to the anti-ISIS coalition, with Germany's current contribution to the fight including reconnaissance jets, a refueling aircraft and military trainers stationed in Iraq.
Source: Orient Net.