German military to leave base in Iraq's Erbil by September, Spiegel reports

Germany plans to withdraw its 30 troops from Erbil, Iraq by the end of September, as part of a long-term reduction in its Middle Eastern military presence.

Germany will withdraw troops from the ​northern Iraqi city of Erbil ​and close a field ‌camp there, after ​U.S. moves to remove a protection force as part of its own drawdown plans, Spiegel reported ‌on Friday. The troops will go by the end of September, Spiegel said, citing a parliamentary defence committee briefing. There are currently around 30 German soldiers stationed in the ‌camp on the edge of the airport there, it added.

Germany has already ‌sharply reduced its presence in the Middle East due to security risks posed by the Iran war. A German defence ministry spokesperson said a briefing had taken place and that Germany ⁠was planning ​to reduce the ⁠number of soldiers there over the long term, without giving details on the timing or numbers ⁠involved.

"I want to emphasize that we are merely reducing our footprint; vital support services, ​such as those for the Peshmerga, will be maintained. To this end, ⁠a team of military advisers will remain at the embassy," the spokesperson added. German troops have been ⁠stationed ​in Erbil for years as part of Berlin's contribution to the international coalition against Islamic State, providing training, advice and support to Kurdish Peshmerga forces.

When ⁠asked if the U.S. plans had contributed to the move, the spokesperson said the ⁠decision was ⁠taken in coordination with partners. "No single partner is decisive here. Rather, it is all of them together," the spokesperson told a ‌press conference.