Welcome
Germany continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with Iraq in the fight against IS
Mine clearance in Iraq, © Sean Sutton/MAG
The terrorist organisation known as “Islamic State” (IS) remains a threat for many people in Iraq. In the fight against the group, the German Bundestag decided today to extend the mandate to counter IS. Why is it important for the Bundeswehr to continue to be involved?
IS is still a major threat to people in Iraq, the region and beyond. The terrorist organisation operates from the underground and is still able to execute attacks in Iraq and Syria, including those of a more complex nature. Its resurgence would have far‑reaching consequences for the region and impact security in Europe and around the world.
At the request of and in conjunction with partners in Iraq and NATO allies as well as within the context of the Global Coalition against Daesh, Germany’s engagement therefore continues to be of great importance.
Objectives of the mandate to counter IS
Together with its partners, Germany wants to consolidate what has been achieved to date with regard to stabilisation in the long term, to prevent the resurgence of IS and to further promote reconciliation in Iraq. The mandate for the deployment of the Bundeswehr within the framework of NATO Mission Iraq and the Global Coalition against Daesh was therefore extended until January 2026.
The focus of the extension of the mandate continues to be building up the capabilities of the Iraqi armed and security forces and supporting Iraq in the establishment of sustainable security structures. Both of these objectives are being pursued as part of NATO Mission Iraq and the Global Coalition against Daesh. Furthermore, Germany is supporting the fight against IS as part of the Global Coalition against Daesh through air-to-air refuelling and air transport. Germany’s military commitment is embedded in comprehensive civilian engagement consisting of development cooperation, stabilisation and humanitarian assistance.
Iraq: Supporting long-term stabilisation, addressing the past and reconciliation
Iraq has been engaged in a structured security dialogue with the United States since January 2024. The aim is for the Iraqi security forces to be in a position to tackle IS largely by themselves in the future. The Iraqi Government would therefore like Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), the military pillar of the Global Coalition against Daesh, to be brought to an end in the medium term. Together with our international partners, Germany is closely involved in this coordination process with the United States and the Global Coalition against Daesh to prevent the emergence of a security vacuum in the upcoming transition process. Moreover, Germany and NATO Mission Iraq continue to be called on to provide support for the security sector.
As co-chair of both the Stabilisation Working Group of the Global Coalition against Daesh and the Stabilisation Task Force in Baghdad, Germany is assuming political responsibility for the stabilisation of territories liberated from IS. Since 2013, the Federal Foreign Office has implemented stabilisation measures with a total volume of over 300 million euro in Iraq, particularly in territories liberated from IS. A large portion of these funds was deployed via the Funding Facility for Stabilization. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) oversees the use of these funds. Once the transition of this fund has been completed in 2026, the stabilisation measures that it has helped to implement to date will be transferred to the Iraqi Government.
In addition, Germany is currently supporting, among other things, the establishment of a citizen-friendly police force, the prosecution of IS crimes and psychosocial support for victims of human rights violations, as well as the return, reintegration and de-radicalisation of persons believed to have ties to IS. These measures are intended to boost the population’s trust in the Iraqi state, to foster the continued return of internally displaced persons and to prevent the resurgence of IS by addressing past crimes, thus stabilising Iraq in the long term.
In total, Germany has provided civilian support (including humanitarian assistance, development cooperation and stabilisation) to the tune of over three billion euro since the beginning of the fight against IS in Iraq.
Syria: Stabilising territories liberated from IS remains vital
The threat posed by IS does not stop at the Iraqi border. Germany is also implementing civilian measures in territories of north-eastern Syria that have been liberated from IS with a view to consolidating what has been achieved to date in the fight against IS and to prevent the group’s resurgence. This includes de-radicalisation programmes for family members of former IS fighters and reintegration measures for these families in addition to the many internally displaced persons with no actual links to IS, who are often subjected to stigmatisation on return from camps in north-east Syria.
The German Government’s comprehensive approach includes supporting the Syrian host communities that are taking in those returning, and improving people’s living conditions by rebuilding destroyed supply infrastructure, increasing food security and improving healthcare. Having provided around 117 million euro for stabilisation measures since 2021, Germany is the second-largest donor within the Global Coalition against Daesh in north-eastern Syria and is playing a leading role in the region.