Camp Marmal, largest base of the Bundeswehr outside of Germany, in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan
Camp Marmal is a military base located north of Mazar-i-Sharif in Balkh Province, used as a training and operational center for security forces. The base includes barracks, training grounds, and administrative buildings spread across a large fenced compound.
The base was established in the second half of the 20th century to train Afghan security forces. In later decades, international troops took over and used it as a key hub for operations across northern Afghanistan.
The name Marmal comes from a nearby hill that gave the base its identity. For many people living around Mazar-i-Sharif, the base has been a constant presence in daily life for decades.
The base is closed to the public and can only be viewed from a distance along nearby roads. Before visiting the area, it is worth checking the current security situation and asking locally for up-to-date advice.
Germany held the NATO command at this base for several years, making it one of the largest German military deployments abroad since World War II. This connection is still well remembered in Germany and is often mentioned in discussions about the country's role in international missions.
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