EU Discord on Refugees Fuels IS Propaganda, Says German Minister

Europe's deep divisions on how to handle the mass refugee influx are playing into the hands of the Islamic State jihadist group, Germany's defense minister warned Friday.

"The historic mission of Europe for the past 70 years, to be a symbol of freedom and values, threatens to be drowned out by xenophobia and nationalism," said Ursula von der Leyen.

The mass migrant inflows, with 1.1 million arrivals in Germany alone last year, have put Europe into "crisis mode", fueling right-wing populists and threatening its open borders agreement, said the minister.

"This is grist to the propaganda mill of the IS. European division plays especially into the hands of those who want to corrode European unity -- from within and from outside."

In her opening speech to the three-day Munich Security Conference, the minister urged a determined fight against IS, but also greater humanity for those on the run from war.

"How can a continent of 500 million citizens see its foundations shaken and capitulate by 1.5 million or 2 million refugees?" she said.

She said IS had lost territory and its "myth of invincibility", but predicted a long battle ahead.

"World powers must join forces. Rivalries between great and regional powers are draining power," she said, referring to the Syrian conflict.

The deal reached by world powers early Friday in Munich, meant to silence the guns within a week and ramp up humanitarian aid, offers a chance to end the five-year-old conflict, she said.

"The announced cessation of hostilities has to come true on the streets of Aleppo," she said. "Our common enemy is the IS, and Russia also has good reason to fear terrorism."