German military advisors end mission in Kurdistan Region at Erbil ceremony

ERBIL, Iraq — The Kurdistan Region's Ministry of Peshmerga announced on Wednesday that the mission of German military advisors, deployed as part of efforts to counter ISIS, has officially concluded. A formal ceremony marking the end of the deployment was held at Stefan Camp within Erbil International Airport. The ceremony was attended by Kurdistan Region Vice President Sheikh Jaafar Sheikh Mustafa, Peshmerge Minister Shorish Ismail, the consul generals of the Netherlands and Italy in Erbil, ministry Undersecretary Abdulkhaliq Babiri, Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Isa Uzair, ministry Secretary General Lt. Gen. Bakhtiyar Muhammad Sadiq, Guwer-Mahmur front commander Brig. Gen. Sirwan Barzani, senior international coalition advisors and coalition partner commanders. It was held at the official invitation of the German forces commander in the Kurdistan Region, Col. Austin Betcher, with the German Armed Forces Chief of Defense Gen. Günter Schneider also present. According to the ministry, Germany has ended its activities in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq within the framework of the international coalition. The statement emphasized the historic and decisive support provided by the German military team to the Peshmerga in the fight against ISIS and in pushing the group back, and conveyed the Peshmerga forces' and the Kurdistan Regional Government's deep gratitude to the German advisors, government and people for their military, medical, logistical and advisory assistance.