Germany to shutter Erbil base as military footprint shrinks in Iraq

The decision follows a briefing to the parliamentary defense committee, signaling a strategic pivot for Germany’s long-term presence in the Middle East. While the field camp is slated for closure, officials maintain that the broader mission remains intact. A defense ministry spokesperson confirmed that while the physical footprint is contracting, advisory teams will continue their work from the German embassy to support Kurdish Peshmerga forces.

Germany’s involvement in the international coalition against Islamic State has relied heavily on these training and support operations for years. Despite the consolidation, the ministry denies that the shift was dictated solely by American withdrawal plans, emphasizing instead a collaborative approach with coalition partners. Security risks stemming from regional tensions have already forced Berlin to scale back its Middle East presence, leaving this latest withdrawal as the most recent adjustment in a fluctuating landscape.