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German Military Contributions in International Missions in Afghanistan, Operation Active Endeavour and Enduring Freedom, Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina

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Germany currently has about 7,000 troops deployed in numerous international missions, working in concert with other countries under UN and NATO mandates to secure peace, fight terrorism and support democracy. Through its commitment to international cooperation, Germany remains one of the largest contributors of troops to multi-lateral missions after the United States. German Armed Forces are deployed in Afghanistan, in Uzbekistan, in the Horn of Africa, in Kosovo, , Bosnia-Herzegovina and Georgia.

Afghanistan

On August 11, 2003, NATO, assumed command in Kabul of the U.N. International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), comprised of allied troops from a large number of countries, including Britain, France and Turkey. From Germany, 2,200 soldiers are participating in ISAF, making up the largest national contingent. Overall in Afghanistan, Germany is by far the second largest contributor of forces and has been so for a long time. The figures for France and Canada, the next largest contributors, together total about 1,700.The ISAF deployment is based on a November 2002 United Nations mandate and will help rebuild permanent government institutions as well as strengthen the political and economic stabilization process in Afghanistan. A new U.N. mandate led to an increase of the number of German soldiers in Afghanistan, with new areas of responsibility. German armed forces are managing two Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) – one in Kunduz and one in Faizabad.

Operation Enduring Freedom

German armed forces have taken part in the international coalition against terrorism since November 2001, and there are currently 290 German soldiers deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom. The political mandate allows for a deployment of up to 3,900 soldiers. The long-range goal of Operation Enduring Freedom is to eliminate the leadership and training capabilities of terrorists; to pursue, capture and prosecute terrorists; and to permanently prevent third-parties from supporting terrorist activities.

Operation Active Endeavour

German Naval Forces also support this operation with up to 350 soldiers.

Southeastern Europe

Kosovo
The largest number of Germany’s troops, about 3,250, are deployed in the Kosovo Protection Force (KFOR) peacekeeping mission, made up of troops from NATO and non-NATO members. The international mission is aimed at creating and guaranteeing a secure environment. This includes protecting minorities and returning refugees; ensuring freedom of movement; confiscating illegal weapons; preventing cross-border crime; and rebuilding infrastructure.

The work of the German Armed Forces in Kosovo focuses particularly on humanitarian assistance and long-term reconstruction assisted by the Organization for Civilian-Military Cooperation of the German Armed Forces (CIMIC).

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Approximately 1,100 German troops are deployed as part of the multi-national
NATO Stabilization Force (SFOR) to further the peace process in Bosnia-Herzegovina and, with their presence, to prevent conflicts between the three ethnic groups, Bosnian, Croat and Serb.

Links to more information on German military participation and on development and
humanitarian assistance:

Foreign Policy is Peace Policy – German Foreign Office
Outside Link http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/www/en/aussenpolitik/friedenspolitik/index_html

German Government
Outside Link http://www.bundesregierung.de/en

Armed Forces (in German only)
Outside Link http://www.bundeswehr.de

Updated October 15, 2004