Germany said on Thursday it had no intention of sending additional military support to the Middle East after European allies announced plans to move forces to the eastern Mediterranean following a drone attack on a British air base in Cyprus.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told parliament in Rome on Thursday that Italy, Spain, France and the Netherlands would send naval forces to protect Cyprus in the coming days.
Britain is also sending a destroyer and additional helicopters with anti-drone capabilities to the region and is joining France and Greece in strengthening air defenses in Cyprus.
The German navy is participating in the United Nations' long-running UNIFIL monitoring mission in Lebanon, but Berlin's defense ministry said the military remains focused on NATO's defense operations in Eastern Europe.
“Germany currently has no plans to supplement military capabilities beyond its existing contributions to international missions in the Middle East,” the ministry in Berlin said in a statement.
The statement states that the anti-aircraft frigate “Sachsen” is currently participating in NATO's “Cold Response” exercise in the Arctic.
The ministry's statement reiterated the position of Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who told parliament: “Germany is not a party to this war. The Bundeswehr (German army, no) is not participating in this war.”
