To combat “terrorist ISIS” group, German parliament votes to keep 500 soldiers in Iraq

The British news website “The National” revealed Germany’s “engagement” in the Middle East in its first review of its defense policy since the war in Ukraine took it out of the “era of peace,” noting that the German parliament voted to keep 500 soldiers in Iraq “to combat” the “terrorist ISIS” group.

The website quoted German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as saying, “The conflict in Gaza shows the great importance of the German military presence in Lebanon and Iraq.”

Scholz said during a military conference in Berlin, “In recent weeks, we have been reminded once again of the great importance of the deployment of German forces in the Middle East, with UNIFIL forces in Iraq.”

He mentioned that “Berlin’s military culture has not changed since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” adding that “we bear international responsibility more than ever, and we must, when necessary, commit to it through military participation.”

The British website continued, “The German parliament earlier voted to extend the mission of 500 soldiers in Iraq aimed at preventing the return of the ‘terrorist ISIS’ organization in the country.”