NATO troops begin to move out of Baghdad's Green Zone

NATO troops have begun to move out of Baghdad's fortified Green Zone to other locations in Iraq and the broader region.

An official with the treaty organisation told the Washington Post that the troops were being moved out due to safety concerns.

"We have temporarily suspended our training on the ground, and we are taking all precautions necessary to protect our people. This includes the temporary repositioning of some personnel to different locations both inside and outside of Iraq," the official told the Post.

The drawdown of troops has already started, officials have said, with helicopters evacuating a first wave of personnel overnight.

35 German soldiers have already left Iraq to the neighbouring countries of Jordan and Kuwait, a German news agency reported citing a statement from Germany's defence and foreign ministers.