BERLIN, June 7 (Xinhua) -- The German cabinet on Wednesday decided to withdraw garrisons at a Turkish airbase following a renewed spat with Ankara, Turkey.
Over 250 military personnel stationed in Incirlik, southeastern Turkey, along with their jets and equipment will be redeployed to Jordan's al-Asraq base, according to German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen.
The minister earlier in the day confirmed that Jordan had approved hosting the troops.
The German parliament will vote on the decision later this month. Most of the parties agreed on the motion, according to German local media.
The decision was triggered following the recent diplomatic row between Berlin and Ankara.
Turkey flatly refused to let German lawmakers visit the German air force in Incirlik, which houses 260 German parliamentary soldiers and Tornado surveillance aircrafts, in response to Berlin's refusal to turn in Turkish army officers allegedly involved in the 2016 coup against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel attempted on Monday to negotiate access for German officials as a last attempt at diplomacy, which was subsequently denied. Consequently, he announced that the soldiers will be moved to a location in Jordan.
The German air force base in Incirlik is tasked with reconnaissance and refuelling for allies as part of the international campaign against the terror group Islamic State.
Von der Leyen said there would be a temporary suspension of surveillance flights for a few weeks.
According to German government officials, a new parliamentary mandate will not be required and the government is keen to not set a precedent for future political situations.
German lawmakers spent several weeks debating the move after tensions between the German and Turkish governments reached a crossroads.
Germany firstly decided to accept the refugee claims of two high-ranking Turkish officers who defected and were accused by Turkey of having had a major hand in the attempted coup of 2016. The Turkish government subsequently refused parliamentary officials access to the airbase in May.
Turkey also told Germany that a separate official German delegation would be denied access to the Turkish parliament and would not allow German officials to speak to any Turkish parliamentary representatives.
After receiving the last-minute statement from Turkey, Germany abruptly cancelled the visit a day before the delegation was due to travel to the country.
