US Plans to Withdraw 5,000 Troops from Germany Amidst Tensions

Washington DC. The US Department of Defense has planned to withdraw approximately five thousand US soldiers from Germany, signaling new tensions between the US and Europe.

According to details released on Friday, a senior defense official stated that this plan is currently under consideration. The US side appears dissatisfied with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's recent remarks regarding US military activities related to Iran, calling them 'inappropriate and unhelpful'.

Earlier, Merz had criticized the US military involvement with Iran as 'unplanned'. He also accused the US of being 'humiliated' by the Iranian leadership. These remarks seem to have increased diplomatic tension between the two countries.

In response, US President Donald Trump made sharp comments about the German leadership, stating that Merz himself does not know what he is saying. He also accused Germany of not being serious about Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Trump hinted through social media about the possibility of reducing the number of US soldiers in Germany, stating that a decision would be made soon. He also mentioned that US troop presence could be reduced in Spain and Italy. He criticized these countries for not providing sufficient cooperation in the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated that his country is prepared for potential troop reductions and will face them according to the circumstances. According to current data, more than 36,000 active US soldiers were stationed in Germany by the end of last year.

In addition, approximately 1,500 reserve soldiers and 11,500 civilian employees are also working there. Germany hosts the headquarters of the US European Command and Africa Command, and Ramstein Air Base is known as an important center for US military operations.