Germany Suspends Upgrading Tanks for Turkey over Afrin Operation

Germany Suspends Upgrading Tanks for Turkey over Afrin Operation
Berlin has decided to suspend any decision on upgrading the German-made tanks in the hands of Turkey as Ankara currently uses them in its controversial offensive against Syrian Kurds in Afrin.

A government spokesman said that Chancellor Angela Merkel and Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel have agreed to uphold making the decisions on the issue until both party blocs had sealed a new coalition deal.

According to Gabriel, the issue will be discussed in talks on forming a new German coalition government. The negotiations are due to begin on Friday.

“For this reason, we in the caretaker government agreed that we don’t want to anticipate the results of the current coalition negotiations, and we will wait for the formation of a new government before weighing up critical projects,” he said in an earlier statement.

The German FM reiterated his country’s concern over the Turkish military operation against Syrian Kurdish forces in Afrin, calling on the NATO secretary general to urge Turkey to stop the offensive.

“The chance for political negotiations for peace and stability in Syria is there and must not be further hindered by military conflicts. I have repeatedly made this clear to the Turkish government,” he added.

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