The German defense ministry on Wednesday said it planned to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan in early July, after the U.S. announced plans to pull out by September 11. 

"A withdrawal date of July 4 is being considered," a ministry spokesman said, stressing that the final decision would be made by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). 

NATO had agreed last week to begin their troop drawdown by May 1. The 9,600-strong NATO training and support mission, which includes the U.S. troops and depends heavily on Washington's military assets, includes personnel from 36 NATO members and partner countries.  

With 1,100 troops, Germany has the second biggest contingent of soldiers after the U.S. in the country.