US Withdraws 5,000 Troops from Germany, NATO Asks Europe to Strengthen Defense

NATO said it was working with Washington to understand the details of the United States' decision to withdraw troops from Germany. The move comes as the alliance faces tensions over the US war against Iran.

According to a report by Anadolu Agency quoted on Saturday, May 2, NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said that his party was still studying the details of the change in the US troop posture in Germany.

"We are working with the US to understand the details of their decision regarding the troop posture in Germany," Hart wrote on the X platform.

Hart said the adjustment showed that Europe needed to continue to increase defense investment. Europe was also asked to take a greater share of responsibility for collective security.

"We remain confident in our ability to provide deterrence and defense, as the shift towards a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO continues," Hart said.

A Pentagon spokesman on Friday said the US Defense Secretary had ordered the withdrawal of about 5,000 troops from Germany.

Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump said his administration was assessing the possibility of reducing the US military presence in Germany. The statement came amid a rift in the body of NATO over the US war against Iran.

Tensions increased after German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday criticized Washington. He assessed that the US did not have an exit strategy in the Iran war.

Merz also said Americans were being "humiliated" by the Iranian regime in the negotiations.

Amid the withdrawal plans, NATO chose to calm the situation. Hart said the alliance remained confident it could maintain its deterrence and defense.