BERLIN, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Unfolding daily events are continuing to contribute to the rising tensions between Germany and Turkey, German newspaper Bild reported on Wednesday.
Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim gave Berlin an ultimatum to choose between alliance with Turkey and support for the rebels on Tuesday. German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel warned that if Turkey continues to "blackmail" Germany, a tolerance level will be eventually reached.
Bild reports said that Germany has put in motion concrete plans to start moving their military facility in Turkey to Jordan. German troops will inspect the Jordanian airbase Muffawak Salti on Wednesday to ascertain how quickly the move can occur.
The heated exchanges come in the wake of rising tensions between the two governments. Last week, Germany accepted asylum claims from former high-ranking Turkish generals, who were also former NATO officials. Turkey claimed that these generals had a direct hand in the failed coup attempt in July 2016. But Germany accepted the asylum by the Turkish officers for fear that they would not receive a fair trial in Turkey.
Turkey subsequently refused German members of parliament access to German staff at a military facility on Monday. The refusal prompted German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her CDU party to seriously consider the possibility of moving the army from Incirlik airbase in Turkey.
NATO has also released a statement to confirm that it does not get involved in alliance activities but that it could have an effect on NATO if the tensions continue to escalate.
