US to Pull 5,000 Troops from Germany
The US will withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany over the next year. Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell confirmed this on Friday.
The move follows a dispute between President Trump and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Merz had questioned US strategy in the Middle East.
He also said Iran was humiliating Washington. Trump then announced the troop withdrawal.
Germany's defence minister said the reduction was expected. He said European countries must take greater responsibility for their own security.
The withdrawal should push European nations to build up their own defences he added. NATO said it is working to understand the details of the US decision.
Klear Note — The US has kept troops in Germany since World War II. NATO is a military alliance of 32 countries including the US and Germany. European nations rely heavily on US military support.
Key Terms 4
- Pentagon The US military headquarters near Washington DC
- NATO A group of countries that agree to defend each other
- Chancellor The head of government in Germany
- brigade combat team A self-contained army unit of several thousand soldiers