The Bundeswehr is temporarily withdrawing non-essential personnel from Erbil in northern Iraq for security reasons. The move comes amid rising tensions between the US and Iran. The mission to support local forces against the Islamic State will continue with the remaining personnel.
The Bundeswehr has reduced the number of its female and male soldiers in northern Iraq for security reasons. "Due to the tensions in the Near and Middle East, personnel that is currently not urgently needed for the mission is being temporarily withdrawn from Erbil," the Operational Command stated. A spokesperson did not specify the exact number of forces withdrawn or the remaining presence.
The announcement followed a report by the "Spiegel." According to it, the Bundeswehr is responding to a looming escalation between the US and Iran. An information paper for the Bundestag stated that the measure was necessary due to the "further increasing tensions between the US and Iran." At the end of January, the threat level for northern Iraq had already been raised, citing an "indirect endangerment" from shared use of bases with US forces. In the past, Iran had attacked US targets in northern Iraq with rockets.
Recently, around 300 female and male soldiers were deployed for the mission, with the majority stationed in Jordan to support the anti-terror coalition, including with tanker aircraft. In Iraq, the focus is on Erbil, the Kurdish metropolis in the north, where the Bundeswehr assists in building up local forces to prevent a resurgence of the terrorist militia Islamic State (IS). Only individual advisors remain in Baghdad.
The Operational Command emphasized that it is a precautionary measure. The core mission will be fulfilled with the remaining personnel, and the approach has been closely coordinated with multinational partners. "The safety of our female and male soldiers is the top priority."
