Germany warns Turkey 'we will not be BLACKMAILED' as war of words rages on
GERMANY has sent a warning shot to Turkey telling them they will not be blackmailed after Ankara refused to allow politicians from Berlin to visit soldiers at a Turkish airbase.
Merkel considers withdrawing all German troops from Turkey
Federal foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel hit out amid an escalating row with Turkey after Germany accepted asylum requests from two Turkish soldiers, allegedly involved in the military coup.
In retaliation, an outraged Turkey refused to allow German politicians to visit soldiers at Incirlik air base.
This was followed by a strong rebuke from Chancellor Angela Merkel who threatened to withdraw all German soldiers from Ankara.
A war of words has broken out between Turkey and Germany
I can only hope that the Turkish government will change their mind in the coming days
Echoing this strong rhetoric, which is likely to kick start a major diplomatic row, Mr Gabriel said if “the German parliament will be blackmailed, the limit of the tolerable will be reached”.
He added: ”I can only hope that the Turkish government will change their mind in the coming days.
"Otherwise the German Bundestag will certainly not leave the soldiers in Turkey."
More than 250 German soldiers are stationed at the base, contributing to NATO's mission targeting Islamic State militants in neighbouring Syria.
Gabriel warned Turkey not to blackmail Germany
Turkey was outraged after Germany accepted asylum requests from two soldiers
The military personnel fly Tornado surveillance missions over the war-torn country and refuel flights for partner nations battling ISIS extremists.
Turkish foreign ministry sources said a visit by German parliamentarians "would not be appropriate at this time".
Merkel has threatened to remove German soldiers from Turkey
Ankara similarly refused access to German authorities late last year, although that visit eventually went ahead.
Mrs Merkel said: "We will continue to talk with Turkey, but in parallel we will have to explore other ways of fulfilling our mandate.
"That means looking at alternatives to Incirlik, and one alternative among others is Jordan."