In a statement, on October 5, the Press and Information Office of the Federal Government said, “Up to 500 soldiers may be deployed up to October 31, 2023, to help bring about a long-term stabilization in Iraq.”


“This decision by the Federal Cabinet still has to be approved by the Bundestag,” the statement said. Analysts familiar with the matter believe that the Bundestag would approve the decision. 


The Press office added, “The Federal Government of Germany has decided continue the deployment of German armed forces with a view to securing stabilization, preventing the resurgence of IS, and promoting reconciliation in Iraq.”


“IS continues to carry out attacks against Iraqi forces, local administrative structures, and critical infrastructure in Iraq,” The German Press Office said was the reason behind extending Germany’s military mission in the region.   


Germany has 500 military advisers in the Kurdistan region and Iraq, whose mission is to train and provide intelligence and military information to enhance the capacity of the Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi army in the fight against ISIS.


The federal government said that it helps Iraq include “Air-to-air refueling, air transport, ground-based airspace surveillance and staff personnel, participation in NATO AWACS air surveillance flights, and advisory and staff personnel in the missions of the international anti-IS coalition as well as NATO.”


In 2014, Germany began assisting the Peshmerga forces and provided weapons and ammunition to them. The German Federal Office has delivered close to three billion euros to the Peshmerga and Iraqi forces since 2013, according to the German Press and Information Office.


Many Kurds and Iraqis reside in Germany, maintain close contact with kin in Iraq and send millions of euros in remittances back to Iraq.