Cabinet okays military aid for Daesh fight

The German cabinet yesterday approved a mandate offering military assistance to back the international fight against the Daesh militant group following the Paris attacks. The package, which still requires parliamentary approval, covers Tornado reconnaissance jets, a naval frigate and up to 1,200 troops following a French request, the government said in a statement.

“The German contribution serves the fight against terrorism under the auspices of the alliance against Daesh and is aimed at supporting in particular France, Iraq and the international alliance in its fight against Daesh,” the mandate says. The mandate is for one year at a cost of 134 million euros ($142 million; Dh521.1 million) and can be extended in 2016.

It would be the largest Bundeswehr mission at the moment, following a drawdown in Afghanistan.