The German cabinet has backed plans for military support in the fight against Islamic State (IS) militants in Syria. Tornado reconnaissance aircraft, a naval frigate and a 1,200-strong force will be sent to the region under the proposals. Germany decided to join the fight against IS after an appeal by French President Francois Hollande in the wake of the 13 November Paris attacks. Its forces will not engage in combat. MPs are expected to back the mission, which would become Germany’s biggest current military operation abroad.

According to German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen and Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the suggested mandate would initially be intended to last for 12 months until December 2016, as is common practice with German involvement in foreign conflicts.

An opinion poll revealed German disquiet about involvement in a mission against IS. According to the YouGov poll for the DPA news agency, 71% believed it would raise the threat of attack in Germany. However 45% of Germans questioned backed military involvement and 39% were opposed. Until now, Germany’s biggest foreign mission has been in Afghanistan, but that has gradually wound down to a force of just under 1,000.