ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Germany’s military advisory mission in the Kurdistan Region as part of the US-led coalition against the Islamic State (ISIS) ended on Tuesday, the Peshmerga ministry said, calling for continued cooperation.

During a ceremony marking the mission’s end, Peshmerga Minister Shorsh Ismail “reaffirmed that their strategic relations will continue and called on the German parliament and government to strengthen their cooperation in the coming phase” after the forces withdraw in September.

In July, the German army said it will withdraw personnel from its field base near Erbil International Airport by the end of September, citing concerns over the loss of US air defense protection as Washington scales back its military presence in the Kurdistan Region.

The camp near Erbil airport, where the US-led coalition forces are housed, has come under increased security pressure in recent months, with Iran and its proxies repeatedly having bombarded the site amid the regional conflict.

Although the attacks were not aimed at German forces, soldiers stationed at the camp spent “many nights in protective bunkers” because of their proximity to US troops, with most incoming missiles and drones intercepted by American air defenses, accoding to a report by Der Spiegel.

The anti-ISIS coalition, brought to Iraq in 2014 at the invitation of Baghdad to help repel a lightning ISIS advance across the country, is set to complete its withdrawal from all Iraqi territory by September 30, as per an agreement between Washington and Baghdad.

One German soldier died in the line of duty during the advisory mission, according to the Bundeswehr.

“The ceremony shed light on the historic, important, and impactful role of the German military team in supporting the Peshmerga forces, particularly in confronting and defeating ISIS terrorists,” the Peshmerga ministry said in a statement.

Its withdrawal has long been a key demand for many political forces and armed groups across the country, especially those with strong links to Iran.

Many pro-Iran armed groups in Iraq had long listed the coalition’s withdrawal as the primary prerequisite for laying down their arms, with the presence of American troops having drawn vast condemnation from Iran-aligned forces.

The Iraqi government, led by Ali al-Zaidi, is pushing to restrict weapons to the state and has also set September 30 as the deadline for armed groups to hand over all weapons.