German diplomatic staff return to Baghdad and Erbil ahead of resumption of operations

BAGHDAD — Staff from the German Embassy in Baghdad and the German Consulate General in Erbil are returning to their posts as Germany prepares to resume diplomatic operations and re-establish political contacts in Iraq, the embassy announced.

“Embassy and consulate personnel are currently returning to Baghdad and Erbil to prepare for the resumption of operations and to re-establish political contacts,” the statement said. No timeline has been set for the reopening of consular and visa services.

Germany reduced embassy and consular operations earlier this year following regional escalation linked to the conflict between Iran, Israel and the United States. Several countries adjusted diplomatic staffing and issued security advisories as Iraq repeatedly closed its airspace after missile and drone activity across the region.

Iraq shut its airspace on Feb. 28 following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and reopened it on April 8 following a ceasefire. Projectiles were intercepted near Erbil International Airport during the early days of the conflict, while the 38-day closure disrupted both domestic and international aviation.