Spain Withdraws Troops from Iraq

Spain is preparing to evacuate and redeploy its troops stationed in Iraq.

This was announced by Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles, as quoted by EFE.

The evacuation of Spanish troops from Iraq is linked to NATO’s decision to adjust its mission in the Middle Eastern country for security reasons.

Robles confirmed that the evacuation will take place in the coming days.

Meanwhile, sources at Europa Press within the Spanish Ministry of Defence reported that a ‘temporary redeployment’ of troops from the Special Operations Group deployed in Iraq began as early as Sunday due to a ‘deterioration in the security situation’ resulting from the war in Iran and the “impossibility of continuing to carry out assigned tasks.”

According to the ministry, all troops are already “in safe locations, without any incidents.”

In total, there are 300 Spanish troops in Iraq, deployed as part of two operations: Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), which has been conducted by the international coalition against ISIS since 2014, and the NATO Mission Iraq (NMI), command of which is expected to be taken over by a Spanish general in June.

Spain did not support the U.S. operation against Iran and did not allow the use of its military bases to launch strikes.

At the same time, Spain was used by the U.S. as a transit hub for American aircraft, which the Donald Trump administration had amassed in the region ahead of the strikes on Iran.

Later, Spain deployed its frigate Cristobal Colon to the eastern Mediterranean to protect Cyprus from possible air attacks by Iran.

Iran is striking a number of countries in the region that cooperate with the U.S. and, in particular, host American military bases.

Also, Italy is withdrawing its troops from Iraqi Kurdistan, which is under attack by Iranian forces.