Germany Concludes Military Mission in Iraq as US-Led Coalition Begins Planned Withdrawal

Germany's military mission in Iraq officially concluded on Wednesday, marking the first major departure from the Kurdistan Region as part of the US-led, anti-ISIS coalition’s wider withdrawal from the country scheduled for September 30, according to Iraqi authorities.

An official ceremony was held at Camp Stefan near Erbil International Airport, attended by the commander of German forces deployed abroad, Gunter Schneider. Other notable attendees included the Deputy President of the Kurdistan Region, Sheikh Jaafar Sheikh Mustafa, and the Minister of Peshmerga Affairs, Shorish Ismail.

The Ministry of Peshmerga issued a statement noting that the withdrawal signifies the end of German advisory efforts against ISIS "after years of active and influential presence within the international coalition against ISIS in both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq." The ministry praised the "historic and pivotal" contributions of the German military in supporting Peshmerga forces and fighting ISIS terrorists, while also acknowledging Berlin's delivery of military, medical, logistical, and advisory support.

The closure of Camp Stefan aligns with the broader plan for the US-led international anti-ISIS coalition to conclude its military mission in Iraq by September 30. This decision follows a US directive to remove its protection force from the multinational installation due to heightened security concerns, which included repeated drone and rocket attacks near Erbil airport.

German troops have maintained a presence in Erbil since 2015, offering training, advice, and support to Peshmerga forces as part of Berlin's contribution to the anti-ISIS coalition, recently maintaining approximately 30 soldiers in Kurdistan.

Iraqi officials have described the upcoming September deadline as a transition toward a new phase rather than an absolute exit. On Monday, Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al Zaidi met with commander Schneider to discuss preparations for completing the withdrawal and to explore "ways to strengthen and further develop bilateral relations in the military and security fields through joint programmes," as stated by the Iraqi government.

Mr Al Zaidi emphasized "the importance of transitioning toward multidimensional relations with the coalition countries and commended Germany’s long-standing role in assisting Iraq in its fight against terrorism, particularly during the period of confronting members of the ISIS." With the withdrawal now underway, Baghdad and Erbil face the ongoing responsibility of preserving security gains against ISIS remnants and handling regional threats independently.