Iraq says NATO withdrawal was precautionary and coordinated

BAGHDAD — Iraq said Monday that NATO’s departure from its Baghdad headquarters was a precautionary measure taken in coordination with Iraqi authorities and not the result of any attack, pushing back against suggestions the mission had been forced out.

Security Media Cell chief Saad Maan said “NATO mission in Iraq was not targeted,” describing the relocation as a safety measure based on the mission’s own assessment and carried out with Iraqi agreement. He said the mission could return “depending on developments in the situation and conditions, and in line with the vision of Iraqi security authorities.”

Maan emphasized the mission’s non-combat nature, noting it is unarmed, has no combat equipment and is present in military facilities only with Ministry of Defense approval. He said it includes representatives from more than 28 countries and is linked directly to NATO headquarters in Naples rather than to coalition forces, which he said fully withdrew from Iraq at the end of September under a separate agreement with the Higher Military Commission for Dialogue.

NATO confirmed last week that all mission personnel had departed Iraq by March 20, with operations continuing from Joint Force Command Naples. The mission, established in 2018 at Iraq’s request, provides training and advisory support to Iraqi security forces.