German Military Officers Leave Patriot Unit İn Southeastern Turkey

In southeastern province of Kahramanmaraş, military officers deployed to German Patriot Air Defense Unit have begun to leave the Gazi Barrack to return to their home country.

Around 80 military officers among 280, deployed to the German Patriot Unit, left the barrack in two buses, on Oct. 22 in the afternoon, accompanied by high security measures of police officers.

Germany has decided to pull the Patriot back in August, following a reassessment of the threats stemming from the conflict in neighboring Syria.

Patriot units deployed in 2013

Along with the United States and the Netherlands, Germany has deployed Patriots in early 2013, as Turkey has asked NATO partners for help amid a growing civil war in Syria.

The soldiers who have left Kahramanmaraş will head to Germany from Adana İncirlik Airbase, while the remaining officers in Maraş are expected to return to Germany in groups, until Oct. 31, when the unit's mission ends.

(Photo) - Kahramanmaraş