Germany plans to withdraw its troops from Erbil and close a field camp.
Germany plans to withdraw its troops from Erbil and close a field camp.
2026-07-10
Shafaq News – Berlin
The German magazine Der Spiegel reported on Friday that Berlin intends to withdraw its forces from the city of Erbil (the capital of the Kurdistan Region) at the end of September and close a field camp there, following American moves to reduce the number of troops.
The magazine reported that the decision to withdraw was based on a briefing to the parliamentary defense committee.
She added that about 30 German soldiers are currently at the camp located on the outskirts of an airport in Erbil.
A spokesman for the German Defense Ministry said that Berlin intends to reduce the number of soldiers there in the long term, without providing any details about the timing or numbers.
He added: “I would like to emphasize that we are only reducing our presence, and vital support services, such as those provided to the Peshmerga forces, will continue to be provided. For this purpose, a team of military advisors will remain at the embassy.”
German forces have been stationed in Erbil for years as part of Berlin’s contribution to the international coalition against ISIS, providing training, advice and support to the Kurdish Peshmerga forces.
US forces are scheduled to leave Iraq completely by the end of September of this year, according to a timetable agreed with the Iraqi government to end the mission of the international coalition.
shafaq.com
