Italy ends military presence in Iraq with the return of the last troops

“ Com the return of the last military involved in the recovery and transport of our logistical supplies, the presence of the Italian Armed Forces in Iraq has come to an end today,” said Defense Minister Guido Crosetto in a statement.

The withdrawal of international troops began last March, following the attack with an Iraqi Resistance drone at the Italian military base Camp Singara in Iraqi Kurdistan that same month, and in the context of the end of the Global Coalition mission against the Islamic State.

“ The operation of the international coalition and NATO’s mission in Iraq will, in fact, have to continue to operate with other countries,” the minister continued, ensuring, however, that Italy will continue to “strengthen ties with Iraq” with a reduced military presence, but increasing “cooperation, training and exchange of expertise, as well as the development of the capabilities of the Iraqi Armed Forces”.

According to Crosetto, in this way Iraq will “take direct responsibility for the security of its own territory”.