US announces plan to pull 5,000 troops from Germany over diplomatic row
The decision, framed as retaliation by President Trump, targets Berlin's reluctance to support operations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz
The United States has announced plans to withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany over the next six to 12 months. The Pentagon revealed the decision on Friday, marking a significant adjustment to the American military footprint in Europe, which currently hosts over 36,000 active duty personnel.
The administration describes the move as a direct retaliation against German Chancellor Friedrich Merz following a sharp diplomatic dispute. The row centres on the Chancellor's criticism of the US-led war effort in Iran, which officials say stems from European reluctance to support the conflict.
President Donald Trump has indicated that similar reductions may apply to US troop levels in Italy and Spain. This potential expansion of the drawdown cites those nations' hesitation to participate in operations aimed at reopening the strategic waterway of the Strait of Hormuz.
The friction highlights a broader disagreement between the US administration and its European allies regarding the scope and cost of the Iran conflict. Officials note that a recent Iranian peace overture was rejected by the President because it contained demands he could not agree to, with the strategic waterway remaining the primary point of contention.
While the specific nature of the US-Israeli war effort remains unclear in the provided details, the dispute underscores the growing tension over how far allies will go to support Washington's military objectives in the region. The announcement serves as a stark reminder of the shifting dynamics in transatlantic defence cooperation.
