Because of unrest in Iraq: Bundeswehr restricts operations in Baghdad

Because of the recent bloody unrest in Baghdad, the Bundeswehr is restricting its operations in the Iraqi capital for the time being. The Bundeswehr said the approximately 20 German soldiers were safe.

The German soldiers in Baghdad are largely withdrawing to their camps, just like the partner nations in NATO. “The execution of the order is restricted until further notice,” confirmed the operational command in Potsdam. All German forces are safe despite the violence in the Iraqi capital, the Bundeswehr said.

Other locations in Iraq not affected

Around 20 German soldiers are currently deployed in the Baghdad area. They are involved in two missions: Firstly, in “Inherent Resolve”, which is dedicated to the fight against the so-called Islamic State and is intended, among other things, to counteract the resurgence of the extremists. The other is the “NATO Mission in Iraq”, which is dedicated to training Iraqi security forces, for example.

The other Bundeswehr locations in Iraq – Al Asad to the west and Erbil to the north of the capital – are not affected by the restrictions, they say. For the Germans in Baghdad, this means that their activities will be almost completely shut down for the time being.