The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

U.S. allies hesitant to back air strikes in Syria

Obama-via-AFP2

Some US allies, including the United Kingdom and Germany, have expressed opposition to join Washington’s planned military campaign against IS terrorists in war-ravaged Syria.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his British counterpart Philip Hammond said during a meeting in Berlin on Thursday that their respective countries will not take part in any US airstrikes in Syria.

“Let me be clear, Britain will not be taking part in any airstrikes in Syria. I can be very clear about that,” Hammond said.

Moreover, Steinmeier underlined Berlin’s view, reaffirming that “nobody asked us to participate and we will not participate.”

The statements come a day after US President Barack Obama authorized airstrikes in Syria for the first time.

Meanwhile, Turkey said that it will not allow any US-led coalition to use its bases to attack IS militants in neighboring Iraq and Syria.

A Turkish official said Ankara has rejected to take part in any combat operations against the IS terrorists but will continue to provide humanitarian support.

The IS terrorists control large swathes of Syria’s northern territory. The group sent its members into neighboring Iraq in June and seized large parts of land there in a lightning advance.