Even five years after the end of Afghanistan's operation, the number of soldiers suffering from war trauma remains high. In 2018, 182 of them were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). That is twelve more diagnoses than in 2017, as reported by the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung", citing the sanitary service of the Bundeswehr.
Often, those affected years later, after the triggering event, "realized one of our many aid opportunities," a Defense Department spokesman said. In total, 279 soldiers were diagnosed with psychiatric illnesses during the past year, including depression. In 2017, there were 274 cases. Only cases that are treated in federal armed forces - the actual number is likely to be even higher.
Many soldiers would report later, "because only today PTSD is regarded as a physical wound," said Hans-Peter Bartels, Armed Forces Commissioner of the Bundestag. For many soldiers, however, the diseases are now chronic, and it is questionable whether the Bundeswehr could still adequately satisfy the existing need for treatment.
NATO's combat mission in Afghanistan ended in 2014. It was the Bundeswehr's largest and most expensive foreign mission for a long time, lasting 13 years and costing almost nine billion euros. Up to 5350 soldiers were in the country. The balance of the mission was sober.
To date, the Bundeswehr has stationed up to 1,300 troops in Afghanistan to support the training of the country's armed forces. An end to the mission was not in sight. On Tuesday, military commissioner Bartels presents his annual report.