GERMANY RELOCATES TROOPS FROM IRAQ AS USA PLANS SYRIA WITHDRAWAL

Germany has begun relocating military personnel stationed in the state of Iraq to the state of Jordan, according to reporting by TRT World. The German Defence Ministry described the measure as a temporary relocation in response to regional tensions. The personnel had been deployed as part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation’s (hereinafter: NATO) mission in Iraq, which provides training and advisory support to Iraqi security forces. German authorities stated that the relocation is being carried out in coordination with partners and that training activities will continue from Jordan. The mission in Iraq has been active since 2015.

USA Reportedly To Withdraw Troops From Syria

The United States of America (hereinafter: USA) is preparing to withdraw all of its approximately 1000 troops from the state of Syria within two months, according to reports by Anadolu Agency and Daily Sabah. The reports cite defence sources indicating that the withdrawal would involve a phased redeployment of personnel and equipment. The USA have maintained a military presence in Syria since 2014, primarily in the northeast of the state, to counteract Russian and Turkish influence, as well as strengthen militant groups in Syria.

No formal announcement confirming the full withdrawal had been issued at the time of reporting, according to the cited sources. The information has raised some questions, especially after the November announcement by the USA to establish an air base in the Syrian capital, Damascus. Therefore, the official announcement of the withdrawal might give clearer insights into the strategy of the North American nation.

Reported Context Of The Decisions

The relocation of German personnel and the reported USA withdrawal are described in the sources as occurring amid heightened regional tensions across Sub-Anatolia. German officials stated that the relocation is intended to ensure the safety of personnel while maintaining the training mission. The USA reports reference an internal assessment of the mission’s future, as cited by defence officials. The sources do not indicate a termination of Germany’s participation in the NATO mission in Iraq, nor do they report a new USA military deployment to replace forces in Syria.

If put into context, one way to assess these troop movements is that Germany fears either the USA’s attack on Iran or Israel’s attack on Syria, while the latter seems to be more likely. The USA have been very outspoken about troop movement in the direction of Iran in the last couple of months. In this case, however, the internal sources cite concerns about the “future of the mission”. Due to the invasive nature of the USA’s foreign policy, we have to assume that their perceived interests in this state did not dissolve, which leaves us with the likely scenario that they will move troops to enable their protector state, Israel, to attack Syria.