NATO Relocates Iraq Mission Personnel to Europe Over Security Fears

NATO announced Friday that it has relocated all personnel from its advisory mission in Iraq to Europe, citing security concerns amid escalating hostilities in the Middle East stemming from the ongoing war between Iran, the United States, and Israel.

The move involves several hundred troops who were advising Iraqi security forces, according to a NATO official speaking on condition of anonymity. U.S. Air Force Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, issued a statement thanking the Iraqi government and allied nations for facilitating the safe withdrawal. "I would like to thank the Republic of Iraq and all the Allies who assisted in the safe relocation of NATO personnel from Iraq," Grynkewich said. He also commended the mission's staff, calling them "true professionals" for maintaining operations during the transition. The final personnel departed Iraq on March 20, with the mission now operating from NATO's Joint Force Command in Naples, Italy.

NATO Mission Iraq, established in 2018, is a noncombat initiative aimed at helping Iraq develop sustainable security institutions capable of countering terrorism and preventing the resurgence of the Islamic State...