German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer plans on restructuring the country's Bundeswehr's Special Forces Command (KSK) in the wake of numerous allegations of far-right extremism among its ranks, German media reported on Tuesday, EDNews.net reports citing Deutsche Welle.
According to newspaper Die Welt, Kramp-Karrenbauer will announce structural reforms of the KSK unit, which will include the dissolution of one of its four combat companies.
Some 70 soldiers would be affected by the changes, Die Welt reported.
The KSK has been part of the German Army since 1996. The group focuses on anti-terrorism operations and hostage rescues from hostile areas. Its members have served in Afghanistan and the Balkans, but its operations are kept secret.
Today, the KSK has "become partially independent" from the chain of command and developed a "toxic leadership culture," Kramp-Karrenbauer told the Süddeutsche Zeitung newspaper.
She added that as such, the military unit "cannot continue to exist in its present form."
KSK Chief Commander Markus Kreitmayr is expected to remain in place, but the group will not participate in exercises or international missions until the restructuring is complete.