Germany considering Jordan, Cyprus for anti-IS base

By Abbey Westbury
May 17 2017 05:54 AM

CP1686823586 — FILE - In this July 29, 2015 file photo a German Air Force cargo plane maneuvers on the runway after it landed at the Incirlik Air Base, in the outskirts of the city of Adana, southern Turkey. Turkey has blocked a request for German lawmakers to visit their country\'s soldiers at the Incirlik air base, the German government said Monday May 15, 2017, increasing the possibility that it might relocate planes supporting the campaign against the Islamic State group. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel,file)

BERLIN – Germany’s defence minister says her office has drafted a list of eight locations where it could move aircraft supporting the anti-IS mission if Turkey continues to block German lawmakers from visiting troops at the Incirlik base.

Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday a team is already in Jordan to assess a site there for its Tornado reconnaissance jets and a refuelling plane, and Cyprus is also being considered.

Nonetheless, she stressed talks with Turkey were still ongoing.

Germany has granted asylum to some soldiers Turkey believes were involved in a failed coup attempt last summer. That has prompted Turkey to block a request for German lawmakers to visit some 270 troops serving with the coalition against the Islamic State group at the Incirlik air base.

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