The German military is to withdraw troops sent to guard U.S. military bases in the country after the September 11 terrorist attacks, the defence ministry said Saturday. A ministry spokesman said the remaining troops guarding U.S. bases will be withdrawn when their service ends in September this year. The German army deployed more than 3,000 soldiers for a time in the build-up to the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in March 2003. Although German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder opposed the war on Iraq, he agreed to provide Bundeswehr forces to help secure U.S. military facilities in Germany. Around 600 German soldiers are still carrying out guard duties.
