Germany cuts troop presence in Iraq amid US-Iran tensions

Germany has significantly reduced its military presence in Iraq due to escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, Der Spiegel reports.

On February 18, up to ten German service members were relocated from Iraq to Jordan. Additional personnel in Erbil, northern Iraq, who were not engaged in critical mission duties, were also evacuated, military sources said.

The Bundeswehr is part of NATO’s mission to train and support Iraqi security forces. Most German troops had been stationed in Erbil, where the contingent had already been reduced earlier in February. The decision to further scale down reflects fears that German forces could be caught in hostilities targeting US positions in northern Iraq, which have been repeatedly struck by Iran during periods of heightened tension. A confidential Bundeswehr report described the joint deployment near Erbil airport as an “indirect threat.”

Germany continues to closely monitor developments in the Middle East. The German Air Force operates a base in eastern Jordan, providing aerial refueling support to the international coalition fighting terrorist groups. Additionally, German personnel are stationed at the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, working within the counterterrorism coalition’s headquarters. In late January, the threat level at Al Udeid was raised to “significant.”

In total, approximately 300 German troops are deployed across Iraq and Jordan, with the majority now stationed in Jordan. 

By Vafa Guliyeva