German soldiers continue to terrorize and kill Iraqis

The Bundeswehr has been deployed in Iraq since 2015, at times against the opposition of the Iraqi parliament. The assignment has now been extended. The argument that this would reduce the risk of terrorism in Germany is implausible in view of the uncontrolled arms deliveries to Ukraine.

Last week, the Bundestag approved an extension of the Iraq mission for another year. The aim of the armed operation is to prevent the "Islamic State" from regaining strength in the region. The deployment takes place as part of the NATO Mission Iraq (NMI) and the US Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR). It began in 2015 and relies on the right of collective self-defence as the legal basis. In addition, it is argued that stabilizing Iraq would also reduce the threat of terrorism in Germany. Against the background of extensive and, above all, uncontrolled arms deliveries to Ukraine, the argument seems implausible.

According to the decision recommended by the Foreign Affairs Committee, the international anti-IS coalition has succeeded in breaking the influence of "Islamic State". However, he still has claims to power. Therefore, there would be a risk of his resurgence if he were withdrawn. The Foreign Affairs Committee fails to mention that it was above all the use of Russian forces in conjunction with the Syrian army that pushed back "Islamic State".

After the US terrorist attack on Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in 2020, who was involved in a peacekeeping mission in Iraq, the Iraqi parliament also expelled foreign military personnel from the country. The US and Germany ignored the request and used the political instability in Iraq to extend their military presence.

In the roll-call vote, 534 MPs voted in favor of extending the mission, 104 voted against and five MPs abstained. While the factions of the CDU, SPD, FDP and Bündnis 90/Den Grünen voted to extend the operation, the factions of the AfD and Der Linke voted against it. The costs for the use amount to 87 million euros for the further approval period.