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Germany’s Patriot missiles have been deployed to the southern Turkish city of Kahlamanmaras.
It took three large convoys of about 300 vehicles in total to transport the two patriot units
and all the equipment needed to operate them. The trucks made their way north from the port
of Iskenderum through the mountains amidst tight security along the route.
The city of Kahlamanmaras is about 100 kilometers from the port.
The patriots are to protect the city from the threat of missiles from Syria. The Commander
of the German contingent stressed the defensive nature of the mission.
“Our mission is a clear defensive one
Mission we have is a defensive one.” Besides the Germans the Dutch and US army
will also be setting up their patriot units in the coming days in the cities of Adana
and Gaziantep. The mission is under NATO command and follows
a request by Turkey for allies to help protect its citizens as the situation in Syria continues
to Deteriorate.
“We have clear rules of engagement … To significantly reduce the potential threat
to the population.” For the people of Kahramanmaras having more
than 300 German soldiers live here for up to one year will be an unfamiliar sight, but
hopefully a reassuring sign.