Germany is planning to pull its remaining 30 soldiers out of Erbil in northern Iraq and shut down its field camp by the end of September. The move follows a U.S. decision to remove the protection force currently securing the site, according to a report by Spiegel citing a parliamentary defense committee briefing.

The withdrawal comes amidst a broader, long-term reduction of Germany’s military footprint in the Middle East, spurred in part by escalating security risks stemming from the Iran conflict.

While a German defense ministry spokesperson confirmed the briefing and the long-term drawdown strategy, they declined to provide specific timelines or troop numbers. However, officials emphasized that Germany is not abandoning its regional commitments entirely.

"I want to emphasize that we are merely reducing our footprint; vital support services, such as those for the Peshmerga, will be maintained," the spokesperson stated during a press conference. "To this end, a team of military advisers will remain at the embassy."

German forces have been stationed at the Erbil airport camp for years, playing a key role in the international coalition against Islamic State (ISIS) by training, advising, and supporting Kurdish Peshmerga forces.

When questioned about whether the U.S. pullout forced Berlin's hand, the spokesperson maintained that the decision was a collaborative one. "No single partner is decisive here. Rather, it is all of them together," they said, noting that the move was executed in close coordination with international allies.