German parliament votes to increase troop contingent in Afghanistan

German parliament backs Afghan troop increase

BERLIN — The German parliament has approved plans to send up to 850 extra troops to Afghanistan.

Lawmakers voted 429-111 with 46 abstentions Friday to increase the maximum number of German troops allowed to serve in Afghanistan to 5,350 from 4,500.

Under the government plan announced last month, Berlin will send 500 extra troops to Afghanistan and focus more on training local forces.

The new mandate, valid for a year, allows for another 350 soldiers to be deployed as a “flexible reserve” — for example helping secure elections.

Parliamentary approval is required for German deployments abroad.

Germany currently has 4,340 troops in northern Afghanistan. It hopes to start reducing its contingent next year but isn’t setting a specific withdrawal date.