German Court Reviews Responsibility for US Drone Strikes Using Ramstein Base

The case examines whether Germany holds a duty to intervene in US drone operations reliant on its territory for data transmission.

Two Yemeni men have filed a constitutional complaint in Germany, claiming their relatives were killed in a 2012 US drone strike facilitated by the Ramstein Air Base.
The plaintiffs argue that Germany has a protection obligation under its Basic Law, as the airbase serves as a critical data relay point for US drone operations.
The German government maintains that its obligations are fulfilled, emphasizing that no drones are launched, controlled, or commanded from German soil.
Previous court decisions have been divided, with a 2019 ruling supporting further investigation into potential violations of international law, later overturned in 2020.
The Federal Constitutional Court's decision, expected in several months, could clarify Germany's legal responsibilities in cases involving allied military actions tied to its territory.