Germany Notifies Peshmerga of Mission Conclusion
At a Glance
- Germany has formally notified the Peshmerga Ministry of the conclusion of its military mission in the Kurdistan Region.
- The announcement was made during a meeting between senior German and Peshmerga military officials.
- Both sides discussed the future of bilateral military relations and continued support for Peshmerga reform.
- The Peshmerga Chief of Staff praised Germany’s role in the international coalition against ISIS.
Germany has formally notified the Kurdistan Region’s Ministry of Peshmerga of the conclusion of its military mission in the region. Both sides also discussed the future of bilateral military cooperation and continued support for the Peshmerga.
Key Statements and Focus Area
- Mission Conclusion: The German advisory team officially notified the Chief of Staff of the conclusion of their operational mission in the Kurdistan Region.
- Future Cooperation: Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining and developing future coordination between German military advisors and the Kurdistan Peshmerga Forces.
- Coalition Role: The Peshmerga Chief of Staff praised Germany’s contribution to the Global Coalition against ISIS, highlighting its medical assistance, logistical support, and specialized military training.
Lieutenant General Issa Ozair, Chief of Staff of the Peshmerga, met at the ministry’s headquarters with Colonel Torsten Pitsch, Commander of German Forces in the Kurdistan Region, Major Luisa, Military Advisor to the German Forces, and their accompanying delegation.
The two sides discussed the procedures for concluding the mission, the Peshmerga unification and reform process, and continued avenues of support.
Ozair expressed his gratitude to German military commanders and advisors for their continued efforts and support for the Peshmerga Forces. He also said Germany and its people would remain close friends of the Peshmerga.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to maintaining and developing coordination between German military advisors and the Peshmerga Forces and expressing a desire to strengthen bilateral relations in the future.
FYI
The early conclusion of Germany's military advisory mandate in Erbil is a direct consequence of the broader, phased withdrawal of U.S.-led global coalition forces from Iraq.
Initially launched in 2014 to supply weapons and specialized training to the Peshmerga forces during the war against ISIS, the German mission had its presence extended by the Bundestag earlier.
However, the strategic calculus shifted following a series of regional drone and rocket attacks targeting multinational bases. Because the German contingent at Erbil International Airport relied heavily on automated American air defense networks for protection, the systematic drawdown of U.S. protective assets forced an accelerated closure of the German field camp.
To maintain regional continuity without maintaining a permanent base footprint, Germany plans to shift its remaining military advisory personnel directly into its Consulate General in Erbil as part of a transition toward direct, bilateral security partnerships.
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Iraq and Peshmerga Forces Hold Joint Security Meeting
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