Germany withdraws troops from anti-IS base
 

BERLIN: The German government decided on Wednesday to withdraw its troops from Turkey’s Incirlik base near the Syrian border after last-ditch talks with Ankara failed to resolve an escalating row.

The military personnel along with Tornado surveillance jets and other hardware -- deployed as part of the international coalition against the Islamic State group -- will be moved to Jordan’s Azraq base instead, Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said.

Chancellor Angela Merkel sought to play down the dispute, saying she "views this issue as a very localised one".

With the decision **w made to move troops out of Turkey, Berlin can **w "concentrate on other points" in its negotiations with Ankara, she added.

Germany has more than 250 troops stationed in Incirlik, flying surveillance missions over Syria and refuelling flights for partner nations battling the IS Jihadists.

But the deployment has become a bone of contention after Ankara repeatedly refused to allow German lawmakers to visit the base.

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