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Iraq agrees to open NATO mission office in Baghdad
🇲🇦 Morocco /Conflict & Security

Iraq agrees to open NATO mission office in Baghdad

From Hespress · () Arabic

Translated from Arabic, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Iraq has agreed to open a NATO mission office in Baghdad.
  • The agreement was reached during a phone call between Iraq's National Security Advisor and the commander of the NATO mission in the country.
  • Discussions also covered de-escalation in the region and NATO's continued support for Iraqi armed forces.

Iraq has officially agreed to host a NATO mission office in its capital, Baghdad, marking a significant step in the country's security cooperation with the alliance. The agreement was finalized during a phone call between Qassem Al-Araji, Iraq's National Security Advisor, and Lieutenant General Ramon Armada, commander of the NATO mission in Iraq.

The role of the NATO mission in Iraq lies in consultation and training, building military capabilities, security consultation, and providing support in the fields of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, as well as building strategic partnerships with NATO countries.

— Qassem Al-ArajiIraq's National Security Advisor, describing the scope and purpose of NATO's mission in the country.

According to a statement from the Iraqi National Security Advisor's media office, the conversation focused on de-escalation efforts and the importance of diplomatic solutions to recurring regional crises. The establishment of the NATO office is seen as a move to bolster dialogue and cooperation.

The discussions also encompassed the ongoing support NATO provides to the Iraqi armed forces. Al-Araji emphasized that the NATO mission's role in Iraq is primarily advisory, focusing on training, building military capabilities, security consultation, and providing support in areas like cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. He reiterated Iraq's policy of open engagement with friendly nations to foster development and strengthen mutual relations.

The goal of NATO's advisory and training non-combat mission is to develop the capabilities of the Iraqi armed forces to face potential challenges.

— Ramon ArmadaCommander of the NATO mission in Iraq, outlining the mission's objectives.

Armada affirmed that the non-combat advisory and training mission aims to enhance the Iraqi armed forces' capacity to confront potential challenges. He stressed NATO's commitment to supporting Iraq based on priorities set by the Iraqi government. This development follows the completion of the international coalition's base evacuation in Iraq earlier this year, signaling a shift towards a bilateral security relationship with the United States, focused on enhancing military capabilities and counter-terrorism efforts.

NATO is committed to supporting Iraq according to the priorities set by the Iraqi government.

— Ramon ArmadaCommander of the NATO mission in Iraq, emphasizing the alliance's dedication to Iraqi-defined objectives.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hespress in Arabic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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