MONS, Belgium – Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, and General Curtis M. Scaparrotti, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, travelled to Iraq for an operational update regarding NATO Mission Iraq, January 28-29, 2019.‎‎

 

At the NATO Summit in Brussels in July 2018, following a request from the Iraqi government, Allied leaders launched a new training mission in Iraq called NATO Mission Iraq (NMI). This builds on existing NATO efforts to advise government officials on strategic issues such as force structure planning and training Iraqi officers and non-commissioned members in professional military education institutions in disciplines such as countering improved explosive devices. It is a non-combat training and capacity building mission designed to strengthen the Iraqi security structures, by increasing their ability to prevent the return of ISIS/Daesh. NMI is commanded by Major-General Dany Fortin of Canada. It will be conducted with full respect for Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

 

During the visit, General Scaparrotti and Air Chief Marshal Sir Peach met with Staff General Othman al-Ghanimi, Iraqi Army Chief of Staff, and Staff Lieutenant General Jameel Kamil Abdullah Al Shimari, President of the Defence University For Military Studies. Together, the four leaders signed the Certificate of Recognition of Cooperation between NATO Mission Iraq and the Iraq Defence University for Military Studies, highlighting the partnership between the two institutions.

 

"The work our partners are doing in Iraq is consistent with NATO’s priorities and values,” said General Scaparrotti. "This partnership is testament to the dedication each member puts forward to help to achieve our goals.”

 

Iraq is considered a member of the "Partners Across the Globe” NATO framework, to build relationships in the spirit of mutual benefit.