At a Glance

• Germany officially ended its 12-year anti-ISIS military advisory mission in the Kurdistan Region.
• Kurdish officials praised Berlin for providing vital weapons, constructing the Peshmerga Hospital, and supporting long-term institutional military reforms.
• Both governments pledged to maintain their deep partnership despite the formal coalition mission wrapping up.

The Ministry of Peshmerga of the Kurdistan Regional Government officially marked the conclusion of Germany’s military advisory mission within the anti-ISIS global coalition. Officials from both sides honored Berlin's contributions to training and reform, pledging to maintain strategic ties despite the mission's end.

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Key Statement and Focus Area

• Shoresh Ismail, Minister of Peshmerga, “reaffirmed that the relationship between the people of the Kurdistan Region and the Federal Republic of Germany is a deep strategic bond built on the foundations of freedom, democracy, and safeguarding regional stability.”
• The ministry stated that, “Within the framework of the ceremony, the official conclusion of the military mission of the German forces in the Kurdistan Region was declared.”

A ceremony marking the conclusion of the German military advisory mission was held at Erbil International Airport, attended by top regional officials and international diplomats.

The event was attended by Kurdistan Region Vice President Sheikh Jaafar Sheikh Mustafa, Peshmerga Minister Shoresh Ismail, the Consuls General of the Netherlands and Italy, and Peshmerga Undersecretary Abdulkhaliq Babiri. Senior military leadership was also present, including Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Isa Uzair, Secretary General Lieutenant General Bakhtiyar Muhammad Sadiq, Guwer-Makhmour Front Commander Major General Sirwan Barzani, a delegation of senior Coalition advisors, and high-ranking officers from the Ministry of Peshmerga and the KRG Operations Room.

The ceremony was organized in Erbil upon an official invitation from Torsten Piecha, commander of the German forces in the Kurdistan Region, and was attended by Lieutenant General Gunter Schneider, the Director General for Strategy and Operations (and Head of the Armed Forces Department) at the German Federal Ministry of Defence.

During the ceremony, the Peshmerga minister noted that the German army has been “a genuine partner” during difficult times, particularly in the war against ISIS terrorists.

He also highlighted “Germany's comprehensive support for the Ministry of Peshmerga, including: the participation of their advisors in the reform and unification process of the forces, the construction of the Peshmerga Hospital and the provision of medical supplies, sending officers to staff courses in Germany, and developing the fields of media and military awareness through the provision of modern technology.”

Ismail said the international coalition's mission will conclude at the end of September, but reaffirmed that strategic ties will continue while calling on Germany to strengthen its assistance in the upcoming phase.

He expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation to German soldiers and advisors for their dedication alongside the Kurdistan Peshmerga Forces.

The Peshmerga Ministry said “For years, under the umbrella of the international coalition against ISIS, these forces maintained an active presence in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.” 

The ceremony highlighted the "historic, important, and impactful role" of the German military team in supporting the Peshmerga forces, particularly in confronting and defeating ISIS terrorists. 

The ministry further affirmed that the Peshmerga forces, along with the Region's people and government, extend their highest appreciation to Germany for providing vital military, medical, logistical, and advisory support that "played a significant role in strengthening the military capabilities and infrastructure" of the Kurdish forces.

FYI

The conclusion of Germany’s military mission marks the end of a historic 12-year security partnership. 

Launched in 2014 to counter the threat of ISIS, the mission represented a significant shift in German foreign policy as Berlin bypassed its traditional restrictions on exporting weapons to active conflict zones to supply MILAN anti-tank missiles directly to Peshmerga forces. 

Over the years, the German Bundeswehr transitioned from frontline training to long-term institutional reform, which included constructing the Peshmerga Hospital and unifying Kurdish forces. 

While the formal advisory mission under the global coalition has wrapped up ahead of a September deadline, both governments have pledged to maintain their deep strategic and diplomatic ties.

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