Status: 10/21/2022 2:27 p.m
The Bundeswehr can remain in Iraq until the end of October 2023. The Bundestag has extended the mandate for this. The soldiers there are involved in an international military operation against the “Islamic State” terrorist militia.
With the votes of the traffic light coalition and the opposition Union, the Bundestag has extended the mandate for the deployment of German soldiers to stabilize and combat “Islamic State” (IS) in Iraq. This means that up to 500 men and women can continue to be deployed in the Arab country until the end of October 2023.
535 members of the Bundestag voted for the mandate on Friday, against 104, with five abstentions. AfD and Linke had announced that they would vote against the extension.
In Iraq, the focus is on training the local armed forces for the fight against terrorism. The Bundeswehr has been on site since 2017 and also performs transport tasks and air refueling for allies and partners who also help fight IS.
Union criticizes the lack of a strategy for the region
It is right to continue the fight against IS terrorists, to ensure stability in Iraq and to fight the causes of refugees, said Union faction leader Johann Wadephul in the debate. “Germany has an important role to play here and the CDU/CSU faction stands behind this mandate,” stressed the CDU politician. However, there is no “strategy by this federal government for this region”.
On behalf of the SPD, Nils Schmid pointed to progress in the country, but major tasks remained for the international community. Iraq must be helped to get its own citizens out of IS-controlled refugee camps in Syria and reintegrate them. Commitment is also needed to support the return of displaced Yazidis to northern Iraq.
Bundestag extends Iraq mission by another year
Kai Clement, ARD Berlin, October 21, 2022 2:35 p.m