‘No decision yet on Jordan-based German airbase’

DEAD SEA — Jordan has a potential to host German troops, but no decision has been made yet, German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said Saturday.

Referring to a possible German airbase in Jordan, the minister said it holds some potential as an alternative for German troops currently located in Turkey's Incirlik Airbase.

"There is a lot of potential in the airbase and we were very grateful for a very positive reception and a lot of support," the minister said at a press conference on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum held at the Dead Sea.

The minister said it is important to be prepared "in case we have to move".

However, the minister noted that no final decision has been made yet, as talks with Turkey are still ongoing.

Stressing the importance for the German parliamentary members to be able to visit their troops, she said it was still difficult for them to visit the troops based in Turkey.

On Wednesday, Germany said it was considering moving the 250 troops deployed at Turkey’s Incirlik base to Jordan to help in the fight against Daesh militants, citing Ankara’s refusal to grant German lawmakers access to the site, Reuters reported.

Turkish officials have told Reuters that a visit by German lawmakers to German soldiers at the Incirlik base in order to provide logistical support to the US-led coalition would not be appropriate at the moment.

The deepening row has further soured relations that became increasingly strained ahead of a constitutional referendum in Turkey, which recently handed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sweeping new powers, according to the news agency.