Washington, 02 May (H.S.):
The United States revealed plans on Friday to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany, signaling deepening divisions with a key NATO partner over the ongoing Iran war.
Pentagon officials confirmed the move follows pointed criticisms from President Donald Trump directed at German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who recently described U.S.-led operations against Iran as inadequately consultative. This decision reverses some post-2022 military expansions prompted by Russia's Ukraine invasion under prior administrations.
The drawdown, set for completion within six to twelve months, includes relocating a brigade combat team and canceling a planned long-range fires battalion deployment.
Germany hosts approximately 35,000 U.S. active-duty personnel, making it the largest American military footprint in Europe and a vital training center. Trump has repeatedly faulted NATO allies, particularly Germany, for insufficient naval support in securing the Strait of Hormuz—a critical oil chokepoint closed since late February, exacerbating global energy disruptions.
A senior defense official, speaking anonymously, deemed recent German statements inappropriate and unhelpful, aligning the troop reduction with pre-2022 European levels.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
