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German Warplanes to Help in Syria as Merkel Heeds French Plea

  • Germany poised to step up engagement against Islamic State
  • Frigate, refueling part of response to French aid request
German Tornado jets.

German Tornado jets.

Photographer: Sean Gallup/Getty Images
Updated on

German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government agreed to send reconnaissance planes to Syria to help fight Islamic State, signaling readiness to join the anti-terror coalition spurred by the Paris attacks.

Germany plans to contribute Tornado surveillance planes, a frigate to help protect France’s Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier, aerial refueling for French fighter jets and satellite data, Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen said after Merkel’s senior cabinet members met in Berlin on Thursday.