Germany's defense minister says her country wants to keep planes helping the campaign against the Islamic State group at Turkey's Incirlik base amid an argument over Ankara's refusal to let German lawmakers visit military personnel.

The announcement comes a day after Turkey sent in ground forces, assisted by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes, into northern Syria to free a town of Islamic State group militants.

Turkey was angered by German lawmakers voting in June to label the killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks a century ago genocide.

German military missions require annual parliamentary authorization. Government lawmaker Rainer Arnold told Der Spiegel magazine the mandate wouldn't be renewed if visits aren't allowed.

Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen told the RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland newspaper group Wednesday the military would like to continue operating from Incirlik.

Asked whether it could pull out quickly if necessary, she replied: "Smart military planning always foresees alternatives."

Germany has Tornado reconnaissance jets and refueling planes at Incirlik.