German military training chief in Iraq found dead
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 24 September 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, German military training chief in Iraq found dead, 24 September 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/561d04afc.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
September 24, 2015
The German Defense Ministry says the head of its training mission in Iraq's self-ruled Kurdish region has passed away.
In a statement, the ministry said Colonel Stephan Spottel, 56, was found dead September 23 in his hotel room in the regional capital, Irbil.
It added that current available information suggests that "there is no indication of suicide or third party interference." It did not elaborate.
Like other Western countries, Germany has sent a military mission to train Kurdish Peshmerga forces in their fight against the Islamic State group, which controls about a third of Iraq and Syria.
According to Die Welt newspaper, Spottel's deputy Colonel Jan Heymann has now taken charge of the German military personnel in Irbil.
Based on reporting by AP and Rudaw.net
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
