German Parliament’s Recognition of Armenian Genocide Sparks Turkish Backlash

German lawmakers voted Thursday to recognize the mass killing of Armenians at the hands of Ottoman Turks during World War I as genocide.

The vote, which drew support from several major parties in the German parliament, led Turkey to withdraw its ambassador to Germany “for consultations,” according to a BBC report.

Many historians say that 1.5 million Armenians were killed in 1915 in what they describe as a genocide. Turkey disputes that figure and rejects the world genocide.

Turkey’s obstinate has made recognition of the Armenian genocide a diplomatic minefield for countries around the world. Turkey is a key ally for many western countries and a bridge to the Middle East. Countries that rely on Turkey’s partnership—like the United States—could receive the cold shoulder for calling the massacre genocide.

German parliament’s action Thursday threatens to unravel negotiations how to address the region’s ongoing migrant crisis.