Eduardo González
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, assured yesterday in Baghdad that Spain wants to continue supporting Iraq “in this difficult regional context” and that Spanish troops will only leave this country “when the Iraqi Government considers it convenient.”
“Spain has a long-standing commitment to Iraq, and we are willing to support them in this difficult regional context,” Albares declared during a joint conference with his Iraqi counterpart, Fuad Hussein, within the framework of his tour of the Middle East, which began last Tuesday in Lebanon.
Albares’ words come in the midst of a debate on the possible withdrawal of international forces deployed in Iraq within the framework of the NATO advisory mission and the US-led coalition against Daesh. Both the Government of Mohamed Shia al Soudani and the pro-Iranian paramilitary forces defend this withdrawal and the prime minister himself recently declared that “the end of the coalition mission is necessary for the security and stability of Iraq.” The United States has offered to talk to Baghdad about it, according to the Iraqi Foreign Ministry.
“We are here at the request of Iraq and we will leave when the Government of Iraq considers it convenient,” Albares said at the press conference, in which he thanked the Iraqi Government for its efforts to protect the Spanish soldiers stationed in the country “to support “the fight against terrorism and to support the unity, sovereignty and stability of Iraq.”
Spain has around 150 soldiers in the international training coalition for the Iraqi security forces in their fight against Daesh, made up of 60 countries and led by the United States. In addition, seven other Spanish soldiers are assigned to the NATO Advisory and Training Mission in Iraq (NMI), currently commanded by Spanish Lieutenant General José Antonio Agüero. Precisely, the minister visited Agüero yesterday, whom he thanked for “his work for stability and security in Iraq,” as reported through the social network X.
The Al Asad military base, where part of the Spanish contingent is deployed, has suffered several missile and rocket attacks in recent weeks. Last Saturday, several American soldiers were injured in a bombing attack against this base. “We are extremely concerned about the constant attacks against international military bases,” Albares declared, referring to the actions of pro-Iranian Iraqi militias.
For his part, Fuad Hussein assured at the same press conference that both ministers had discussed “a series of issues and axes, including the activation of the Joint Economic Committee with Spain.” “Bilateral relations between Iraq and Spain are progressing and we look forward to the upcoming visit of the Spanish Minister of Defense,” Margarita Robles, Hussein added, quoted by the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
Al Soudani and Rachid
José Manuel Albares was also received in Baghdad by the Prime Minister of Iraq, Mohamed Shia al Soudani, and by the country’s president, Latif Rachid. During the meeting with Rashid, as reported by INA, the head of state warned that “the events in Gaza and their repercussions have begun to affect the region in general and threaten international peace and security” and highlighted the need to “work”. to reduce tensions in the region and prevent the escalation and expansion of crises.”
To that end, he called on the international community and the European Union to “develop a roadmap to stop the aggression immediately and find final solutions to the Palestinian issue in a way that meets the demands of the Palestinian people to obtain their legitimate rights.”
The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, made an official visit to Iraq on December 27 and 28. On that occasion (the first visit by a head of the Spanish Executive to this country since the one made by José María Aznar in 2003 after the Anglo-American invasion), Al Soudani thanked Sánchez in person for his “brave” position in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. .
