AMMAN: A Jordanian official said Sunday that Jordan is negotiating with Germany over the legal status of German troops to be stationed in the kingdom, amid reports that disagreements delayed deployment.
The German magazine Der Spiegel reported that Germany seeks immunity in Jordan for 250 soldiers who are part of the US-led campaign against Daesh group extremists. The report says Jordan balked at the demand.
The Jordanian official said talks with Germany are “subject to international diplomatic rules” and “equal mutual treatment.” He demanded anonymity because he was not authorized to brief reporters on the issue.
Germany’s defense ministry played down the report saying the negotiation process is ongoing and that “we are in fruitful talks with Jordan.”
“We already started the deployment ... and are expecting to be fully operational by October,” said a spokesman for the German defense ministry, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with department policy.
Germany chose Jordan after previous host Turkey prevented German lawmakers from visiting the troops there.
Jordan, Germany said to disagree on status of German troops
Jordan, Germany said to disagree on status of German troops
Iraq takes full control of air base after US withdrawal, defense ministry says
- An Iraqi army colonel confirmed the US forces withdrawal from the base
- There were a few soldiers remaining due to some logistical issues
BAGHDAD: US forces have withdrawn from Iraq’s Ain Al-Asad Airbase, which housed US-led forces in Western Iraq, and the Iraqi army has assumed full control, the Iraqi defense ministry said on Saturday.
In 2024, Washington and Baghdad reached an understanding on plans for the withdrawal of US-led coalition forces from Iraq and a move toward a bilateral security relationship.
Ain Al-Asad has hosted US and coalition troops for years and has been repeatedly targeted by Iran-backed armed groups during periods of heightened regional tensions, including after the 2020 US killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.
An Iraqi army colonel confirmed the US forces withdrawal from the base, saying there were a few soldiers remaining due to some logistical issues. He did not give further details for security reasons.
It was not immediately clear when the withdrawal started, but the initial plan stipulated that hundreds of troops would leave by September 2025, with the rest departing by the end of 2026.
