As in other Western countries, Spanish soldiers currently advise, train and provide Special Operations support to the Iraqi army. Will leave Islamic counter-terrorism mission At the request of the Iraqi government, which decided to abandon international assistance in this area.
How Spain will cooperate with Iraq on defense matters from now on depends on: A new bilateral agreement is in the draft stage between both countries. This is clearly evident from the statement made by the Police Department this morning. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Al Sudani.
The statement states: He met with the Minister of Defense Margaret Robles, Al Sudani, who visited the country, emphasized the following: Decision to end the international coalition mission in Iraq It is due to the improved capabilities of Iraqi forces in the fight against terrorism, and this Remnants of ISIS terrorists no longer pose a threat “On behalf of the State of Iraq.”
Therefore, Iraq feels it no longer needs help defending itself against the Islamic State. multinational operation Inherent DeterminationIt is coming to an end under the leadership of the USA. There is no date yet for this withdrawal. Robles declared that it would be agreed upon and “it will happen.” an organized transition.”
“They are aware of this there can be no sudden end“But on the contrary, it should be a calm, calm ending that leaves the doors open for the future and always works in pairs,” the Minister of Defense said.
Yes with NATO
Spain will continue to take part in the West’s other military aid program to Iraq, which NATO has been developing in Iraq since 2018. NATO Mission Iraq. There are 183 Spanish soldiers in this mission, which is more didactic and has an infrastructure organization than the more operational Inherente Resolve. In fact, Spain is the main country contributing personnel to the mission, which has been under the command of a Spanish general since May. Lieutenant General José Antonio Agüero.
The last Spanish soldiers to join the mission come from the Military Contingency Unit and went there to train Iraqi soldiers.
Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) is older. It was launched under the leadership of the United States in response to the ISIS attack in Iraq in June 2014. This mission involves training troops on the ground and escorting troops into conflict zones. Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Australia and Canada, among other countries, are also participating.
Spain has been contributing troops since Congress authorized it in October 2014. Today, OIR has 187 soldiers deployed; some of these serve with helicopters in Task Force Toro, and some integrate the Special Operations tactical group. Everything grouped in Unit ISPUHEL XVIII. Spanish contribution divided into four Assad air base For use in North America and Iraq in the Ambar province. It became the base has been attacked many times Rockets from groups close to Iran since the start of the current war between Israel and Hamas.