Germany has around 120 soldiers in Iraq that are stationed all over the country. As The National reports, the protesters still hold up a placard reading ‘No War with Iran’ during a demonstration in front of the US embassy in Berlin.
Germany’s decision to withdraw its soldiers from Iraq caused by the tensions between the US and Iran. In Berlin, demonstrators from different groups protested against the US attack on Iraq’s capital Baghdad International Airport. Death of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard commander has triggered the escalation of the tensions between Tehran and Washington.
Being the US ally in NATO, Germany announced on Tuesday it will withdraw some of its troops stationed in Iraq to neighbouring Jordan and Kuwait. Germany has around 120 soldiers in Iraq that are stationed all over the country.
Soleimani’s killing last Friday has drastically escalated a crisis between Washington and Iran which could lead to the protracted war in the Middle East. According to German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, Bundestag should guarantee the safety of German troops over there.
“Our paramount interest is that Iraq’s stability and unity do not fall prey to the latest escalation. Our main priority remains our soldiers’ safety,” Heiko Maas said in a statement.
General Soleimani’s death made the Iraqi parliament to react immediately. On Sunday, two days after the US attack on Bagdhad airport, the Iraqi MPs voted to expel all foreign troops.
“Following the resolution by the Iraqi parliament, we will speak immediately with the Iraqi Government in order to clarify how it wants to shape future relations,” Mr Maas added.
The German top diplomat confirmed that his country is “willing to continue providing support if so wished and if circumstances permit.”
Putin invites Merkel to Moscow amid Iran-US crisis
Amid tensions between the US and Iran, the Russian President has invited German Chancellor to Russia this Saturday. Putin and Merkel with her foreign minister Heiko Maas are going to discuss the rising tensions in the Middle Eastern region.
As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Russia is “indispensable” when it comes to solving political conflicts, said German government spokesperson Steffen Seibert on Monday.
