The German Bundestag has extended the mandate for the German Armed Forces' mission in Iraq for an additional 12 months to support stabilization efforts in the country.
According to the "Operative Information Center-OMM", the decision ensures that German military activities in Iraq will continue until January 2027. The extension received broad support from the Christian Democratic Union and Christian Social Union (CDU/CSU), the Social Democratic Party (SPD), and the Greens.
SPD deputy Aydan Özoğuz emphasized that the current situation in Iraq cannot yet be considered fully stable, noting that the "Islamic State" (ISIS) terrorist group has not been completely defeated. This factor, she stated, makes the continuation of the mission essential for regional security. The mandate allows for a maximum of 500 personnel to provide training and advisory support to local security forces.
The German military mission in Iraq was initially launched in 2015 during a period when the ISIS terrorist group controlled significant territories across Iraq and Syria. Since then, the focus of the mission has shifted from direct combat support to capacity building and professionalizing the Iraqi security apparatus. This extension aligns with Germany's broader commitment to Middle Eastern stability and its ongoing role within international coalitions and NATO-led initiatives in the region.
