The decision to withdraw all Alliance personnel from Iraq was taken unanimously in response to the US and Israeli attack on Iran. The suspension of the mission is planned to be temporary until the situation in the region improves.
The mission's objective is to train Iraqi security forces to fight terrorism (including the Islamic State) and to help stabilize the country. It has been operating since 2018 and has since been expanded at the request of the Iraqi government.
On Wednesday, March 18, Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles confirmed that preparations are underway for the evacuation and redeployment of troops stationed in Iraq. The Spanish contingent in the mission is the largest and, in addition to NATO member states, Austria and Australia are also participating in the mission.
Iraq has become one of Iran's targets for retaliation after the US and Israeli attack on February 28. In Iraq, Iraqi Kurdish positions and the US embassy have been shelled. On March 13, a French soldier was killed in drone strikes on the "Mala Kara" military base near Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan.