US to Withdraw 5,000 Troops From Germany Amid Widening Rift With Europe

Mintesinot Niggusie

The United States will withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany over the next six to 12 months, the Pentagon said on Friday, in a move that comes amid growing tensions between Washington and its European allies over the war in Iran.

The drawdown would reduce U.S. troop levels in Europe to roughly pre-2022 levels, before deployments were increased following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Germany currently hosts about 35,000 active-duty U.S. military personnel, the largest contingent in Europe.

The decision follows a series of disagreements between U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Merz said earlier this week that Iran was gaining the upper hand in negotiations to end the two-month conflict and questioned Washington's strategy.

Trump had signalled earlier that a troop reduction was under consideration after the exchange with Berlin, as differences over the handling of the Iran war deepened.

The U.S. president has also clashed with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni over the conflict, as well as over his criticism of Pope Leo. In April, Trump said Meloni had let Washington down, marking a shift in relations between the two leaders.

Tensions have extended to NATO burden-sharing, with Trump criticising allies for not deploying naval forces to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway, a key route for global oil shipments, has remained largely disrupted during the Iran conflict, contributing to volatility in energy markets.

The Pentagon did not specify which units would be withdrawn but said the move would be implemented gradually.