BERLIN – In a statement on Saturday August 15th, the German Defence Ministry declared that Germany will withdraw its Patriot missile batteries from Turkey as its role in a NATO joint mission will end early next year.

BasNews understands that 250 German soldiers will also be called back on 31st January 2016.

However, the German government has vowed to continue training Iraqi and Kurdish security forces.

The statement stressed that Germany will stay in the Middle East until the region is stable. About 100 German military advisors will continue the training missions in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.