Germany moves troops out of Iraq, citing Mideast ‘tensions’

Germany’s military has “temporarily” moved some troops out of Erbil in northern Iraq because of “escalating tensions in the Middle East,” a German Defense Ministry spokesman tells AFP.

Dozens of German soldiers have been relocated away from the base in Erbil, capital of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region.

“Only the personnel necessary to maintain the operational capability of the camp in Erbil remain on site,” the spokesman says.

The spokesman does not specify the source of the tensions. But US President Donald Trump has ordered a major buildup of US warships, aircraft and other weaponry in the region and threatened action against Iran.

German troops are deployed to Erbil as part of an international mission to train local Iraqi forces.

The spokesman says the German redeployment away from Erbil was “closely coordinated with our multinational partners.”