US Announces Withdrawal of 5,000 Troops from Germany

The White House stated on Friday that the US would withdraw 5,000 troops from Germany. This announcement came after the German chancellor criticized a recent US-Israeli attack on Iran, describing it as humiliating for America. The US president expressed frustration with Italy and Spain for refusing to allow their territory to be used in the attack, stating they had not been helpful.

The German chancellor said earlier this week that an entire nation is being humiliated by the Iranian leadership, particularly the Revolutionary Guards, and hoped the situation would end quickly. In response, the US president threatened to pull troops from Germany, Italy, and Spain.

NATO is preparing to launch a multinational military exercise called Sword 26 in Europe, involving 5,000 US personnel and 10,000 from allied nations. The exercise will focus on operations from the Baltic to the Black Sea. The Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Alexus G Grynkewich, told the US Senate's armed services committee in March that key posture locations in Europe preserve military options and enable rapid deployment of forces.

Republican Representative Don Bacon stated on Thursday that continued attacks on NATO allies are counterproductive and hurt Americans. He noted that two major airfields in Germany provide access to three continents.

“The continued attacks on Nato allies are counterproductive, the comments hurt Americans.”

Up to 90,000 American troops are based in Europe, with about 35,000 in Germany, which serves as a main logistics and medical hub, particularly at Ramstein base. Around 13,000 US personnel are in Italy, where the US Navy’s Sixth Fleet is based in Naples, and 3,800 are in Spain.

The US controls operations in Africa from European bases and has conducted missions in Libya, Iraq, and Syria from there. Deployment to areas like the Sahel in north Africa relies on these facilities, which are part of NATO infrastructure. The US president has also made threats regarding other NATO members, including suggestions about occupying Greenland, part of Denmark, and similar comments toward Canada.

The alliance requires members to participate in joint defense but is not structured for offensive operations. US vice-president JD Vance visited US military members at Ramstein air base in April 2025 during a refueling stop.

The US did not consult NATO allies before the attack on Iran but has been angered by their reluctance to get involved. Western powers are focused on countering Russian military actions and soft power operations. The German chancellor has taken a direct approach in addressing these issues, contrasting with softer strategies from other allies like the UK.

A Dutch Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopter and Swedish Stridsfordon 90 vehicles participated in a NATO combat display in southern Sweden on April 29, 2026.