Germany Plans Troop Withdrawal and Base Closure in Northern Iraq by September

Germany is set to withdraw its troops from Erbil in northern Iraq and close its military base there by the end of September, according to a report by the German newspaper Der Spiegel. The decision follows similar moves by the United States to reduce its military presence in the region. Currently, about 30 German soldiers are stationed at the base near Erbil airport, where they have been providing training, advisory, and support services to the Kurdish Peshmerga forces as part of the international coalition against ISIS.

A spokesperson for the German Ministry of Defense confirmed that the troop reduction plans had been briefed to the parliamentary security committee but did not disclose specific timelines or numbers beyond the withdrawal by September. The spokesperson emphasized that essential support services to the Peshmerga would continue, with a team of military advisors remaining at the German embassy in Erbil. The move is part of a broader long-term reduction of German forces in the Middle East, previously influenced by security concerns related to the conflict with Iran.

When questioned about the influence of the U.S. withdrawal on Germany's decision, the spokesperson stated that the decision was made in coordination with all partners involved, without identifying any single dominant partner. Germany's military presence in Erbil has been ongoing for several years, contributing to regional security efforts and supporting Kurdish forces in their fight against ISIS.