KUNDUZ, AFGHANISTAN - Germany on Sunday handed over command of its northern Kunduz camp to Afghan security forces, a milestone in the drawdown from a more than decade-long military deployment.

About 100,000 German troops have served in Afghanistan since 2002, and 54 have died there - 35 of them in combat - in Germany's deadliest post-World War II deployment.

Defence Minister Thomas de Maiziere and Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle travelled to Kunduz, via the German headquarters at Mazar-i-Sharif, on an unannounced visit for the handover ceremony on Sunday.

"We hope and expect that the Afghan defence forces will ensure security in and around Kunduz and, if need be, restore it," said Mr De Maiziere. "It is a great responsibility which we are handing over to the Afghan security forces."

International forces are due to end major combat operations in Afghanistan at the end of next year, although Germany and others have pledged to continue a training and support mission beyond then.

Around 4,000 German soldiers are now in northern Afghanistan as part of Isaf, the International Security Assistance Force, including about 900 still in Kunduz.

Kunduz was where the German post-WW II defence force, the Bundeswehr, "fought for the first time, had to learn how to fight", said Mr De Maiziere. "That was a turning point - not only for the army, but also for German society."

The northern base had seen development and combat, tears and consolation, and deaths, the minister said, adding that Kunduz would "forever remain part of our collective memory".